Dynamic displacement energy management device

ABSTRACT

A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.12/261,327, with a filing date of Oct. 30, 2008, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a child seat energy managementrestraint anchor device for use in connection with a child seat that issecured to a vehicle seat and, more particularly, to an improvedrestraint device or system that manages the load and displacementcharacteristics of one or more child seat anchors upon experiencing avehicle impact condition or a predetermined change in acceleration.

Child safety seats are routinely secured to the seat of a vehiclethrough conventional methods and use of such equipment as a standardvehicle seat belt and child seat attachment hardware such as tethers orstraps that are generally included with, or integral to, the child seatassembly. The tethers or straps have hooks, clips, clasps and/or rigid,quick release engagement clip or claw-like mechanisms at their ends toengage the vehicle seat anchors. Standard systems routinely utilizechild seat straps with quick release mechanisms for directly engagingthe vehicle anchors, or a conventional child seat tether/strap or beltassembly wherein the seat belt and/or child tether/strap webbing isintertwined through brackets or guide apertures in the child seat, sothat the child seat may be drawn against the vehicle seat and secured tothe vehicle seats lower restraint anchors. Additionally, a top tetherincorporating a tether hook, clip or clasp also engages a vehicle anchorto further secure the upper portion of the child seat to the vehicleseat. Child safety seats generally move in a car-forward direction,relative to the vehicle seat, during an abrupt vehicle deceleration ordynamic frontal vehicle impact event, causing a resulting inertial forceto be impinged on the points of contact between the child seatattachment hardware and the interfacing vehicle restraint anchors. Theeffects of such inertial forces can be significant and thus managementof these forces can be helpful to reduce the loads transferred to theseated child occupant.

It is therefore desirable to reduce occupant injury in child seats byproviding an energy management restraint anchor device that enhances thefunctional relationship between the child seat and the controlled,common points of engagement with the vehicle interior environment, inorder to manage the displacement of a child seat, and the correspondingenergy transferred to the child occupant, as the result of an abruptvehicle deceleration or vehicle impact event. This may be achieved bycontrolling the translation and rotation of a child seat that is engagedwith a vehicle's restraint anchors, subjected to the aforementionedconditions. One or more load bearing deformable energy absorbingelements are incorporated in each energy management restraint anchordevice, or each shared energy management restraint anchor system. Thedeformable elements are configured to be distorted and/or displaced whensubjected to predetermined restraint anchor input load conditions,thereby absorbing and redistributing restraint energy and permittingcorresponding restraint anchor extraction. Incorporation of one or moreload bearing deformable members that may, when combined together orincorporated individually, exhibit a variety of material properties,cross-sectional geometries, and correspondingly unique resultant energyabsorption characteristics, enhances the ability to tune the loadredistribution and anchor displacement capabilities of the energymanagement restraint device. A wide variety of energy managementcharacterization profiles may therefore be derived for a given restraintanchor, or combination of anchorages associated with an energymanagement restraint device or system, including progressive,digressive, multi-level and variable rise rate load limiting that may beachieved over a variety of predetermined anchor displacement values,thereby enabling customized load carrying and load redistributioncharacteristics for various occupant sizes or occupant loadingconditions.

Additionally, in markets such as the United States, FMVSS 225regulations provide specific quasi-static load carrying capacity anddisplacement requirements, applicable to lower anchors. Accordingly,there is a need to provide a lower restraint anchor device or systemuniquely capable of permitting dynamic anchor displacement andcorresponding energy management without permitting excessive anchordeformation or displacement under quasi-static loading conditions, inorder to meet lower anchorage static load requirements of FMVSS 225.This may be achieved by incorporating dynamic energy management andanchor displacement control interlock features, in association with anenergy management restraint anchor device or system, operable to preventor restrict dynamic anchor movement under quasi-static conditions,thereby providing restraint anchor performance characteristicscomparable to that of traditional fixed position anchors known in theart. Such displacement control features are further operable to releasean anchor from a constrained position in order to facilitate dynamicrestraint energy management functionality. The interlocking controls maybe activated by way of inertial forces impinging upon them, or by anelectrical signal controlling the interlocking component engagementrelationship, in order to facilitate the appropriate energy managementand anchor displacement functionality.

It is also desirable to provide an energy management anchorage device orsystem that facilitates retraction of a deployed restraint anchor afterhaving at least partially deformed the energy absorption material(s), toaid in re-coupling the rebounding child seat with the vehicle seat asthe rate of vehicle deceleration decreases. Retraction may occurunassisted as the child seat rebounds to re-engage the vehicle seat, orretraction may be facilitated mechanically by incorporating one or moreanchor biasing return assist members, operable to aid in returning thedisplaced anchor towards a pre-deployed position. Anchor assist membersmay be spring biased. Retraction may be achieved as a result of anelectronic signal provided to activate a variety of mechanical,electromagnetic, actuator driven or motorized retraction features ormechanisms associated with an energy management device restraint anchor.

It is further desirable to provide various interlocks for controllingthe displacement of an energy management restraint device anchor atvarious phases of device operation. A variety of interlocking engagementconditions are described relative to controlling the movement of saidanchor. An interlock may be employed to retain an anchor in a firstun-deployed position, or to limit the rate, or total amount, of anchordisplacement permitted in combination with the distortion of at leastone deformable material member. An interlock may be operable to precludeanchor displacement in an unloaded condition or under quasi-static loadconditions, and may release or restrain an anchor when the energymanagement device experiences a predetermined change in inertialacceleration. An interlock may also be employed to either temporarily orpermanently fix the position of an extracted or retracted anchor, or toprevent or permit secondary extraction of an anchor under predeterminedconditions. An interlock may be provided to fix the position of ananchor in an intermediate position, relative to a fully extracted orretracted position. An inertial interlock may be engaged or disengagedas the result of a change in position of a mechanically articulatingmember having a biased mass portion, or that may be spring biased. Aninterlock may also be represented by magnetic, motorized, solenoid orsimilar actuator driven components operable to the control movement of arestraint anchor, wherein said actuator receives a control signalderived from identification of a predetermined device state change,detected by an electronic or mechanical sensor.

It is desirable to provide an improved energy management anchoragedevice or system that interfaces with the child seat attachment hardwareand may be mounted to a structural or load bearing member of the vehicleseat, package tray, roof, floor, or any other desired location aspermitted by law.

The present invention includes a dynamic displacement energy managementanchorage device or system for use with at least one vehicle child seat.The device or system may include one or more of the following—a retaineror housing; an anchor; a fixed-position or moveable load bearing memberrelative to which at least one load bearing deformable energy absorptionmember may be positioned or react against; a connecting member generallyinterfacing with a load bearing member and an anchor or anchor end; anelement for biasing the position of an anchor, facilitating anchorretraction during rebound or supplement the recovery of a resilientdeformable material; at least one interlock configurable to control theposition of said anchor under one or more operating conditions; anindicator for signaling one or more states of device function.

Further areas of applicability and functional characteristics of thepresent invention will become apparent from the detailed descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the detailed descriptionand specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, andvarious changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of theinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdetailed description. It will be appreciated that the present inventioncan be utilized in automotive, aerospace, nautical, amusement oralternative land-based personal or commercial vehicle or cargotransportation applications where it is desirable to manage thedisplacement of a child seat anchorage, an occupant secured to ananchorage, or where other transportable items may need to be tethered toanchorages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child seat mounted to a vehicle seat,utilizing one embodiment of the novel energy management anchorage devicedepicted as being operatively associated with an upper tether;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an energy managementanchorage device exposing the components contained within the housing;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken from the perspective of line 3-3 of FIG.2, illustrating the energy management device prior to activation;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the energy management deviceof FIG. 2, taken from the perspective of line 3-3, with the anchorextracted and the load bearing deformable member under compressionloading;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section view of the energy management deviceof FIG. 2, taken from the perspective of line 3-3, with the anchor shownin a retracted and interlocked resting position;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section view of the energy management devicein a retracted position, wherein the load bearing deformable member hasrecovered;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section view of an alternative interlockingengagement for an energy management device incorporating spring-biasedtapered pins for securing the position of the moveable member andcorresponding restraint anchor(s);

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section view of an alternative interlockingengagement for an energy management device incorporating a spring clipfeature for securing the position of the moveable member andcorresponding restraint anchor(s);

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of an alternative interlockingengagement for an energy management device, having a moveable memberwith v-shaped portion that slides within a corresponding groove withinthe housing;

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of the FIG. 9 embodiment, with thedevice assembled and ready for deployment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative interlockingengagement for an energy management device incorporating interlockingmembers that extend through the housing end opposite the anchor;

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative interlocking engagement for an energymanagement device incorporating a biased mass dynamic interlock featureengaging an end wall of a retainer;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative interlockingengagement for an energy management device utilizing a spring-biased rodthat engages an interlocking member;

FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view of the FIG. 13 device, showing theinterlocking member in a locked position, the interlock proximate to anend of the device retainer opposite the anchor;

FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view of an energy management deviceutilizing a spring strip interlocking configuration, the spring stripshown in the disengaged position;

FIG. 16 illustrates the FIG. 15 device in the intermediate conditionwherein the anchor has been extracted, the deformable member compressed,and the spring strip chock disengaged;

FIG. 17 illustrates a sectional view of the FIG. 15 device with theanchor at least partially retracted and locked in one of severalpossible interlocking positions;

FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative energy managementdevice shown in an un-deployed position, wherein the deformable memberis comprised of flexible washers or similar members;

FIG. 19 illustrates the FIG. 18 embodiment in a deployed position, theanchor extracted, deformable member under compression loading and anindicator visible from retainer surface;

FIG. 20 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative energy managementdevice utilizing a single centrally disposed anchor connecting member,an alternative housing geometry and an anchor extraction indicator;

FIG. 21 illustrates the FIG. 20 energy management device with theextraction indicator in a deployed position;

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative energy management deviceincorporating another type of anchorage extraction indicator;

FIG. 23 illustrates a sectional view of the FIG. 22 embodiment takenfrom the perspective of line 23-23, showing the indicator in thedeployed position;

FIG. 24 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative energy managementdevice utilizing an alternative anchorage extraction indicator;

FIG. 25 illustrates a sectional view of the FIG. 24 device showing theindicator in the deployed position;

FIG. 26 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative energy managementdevice utilizing an alternative anchor extraction indicator;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the FIG. 26 device, showing the indicatorin the deployed position;

FIG. 28 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative energy managementdevice utilizing moveable members that may be interlocked byelectromagnetic actuation;

FIG. 29 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative energy managementdevice having moveable members with alternative geometries;

FIG. 30 illustrates an alternative energy management device having adynamic anchor displacement and energy management control interlock theemploys moveable blocking masses operable to disengage swing levers thatcontrol a moveable member, distortion of deformable material andmovement of an anchor;

FIG. 30A is a sectional view taken from the perspective of arrow 30A-30Aof FIG. 30, illustrating the geometric relationship between a blockingmember, an interfacing guide channel on a surface of the retainer orhousing wall, and a retention member engaging said blocking member;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken from the perspective of arrow 31-31 ofFIG. 30, illustrating the device prior to deployment, depicting themoveable member engaged with the swing levers;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the FIG. 30 device, wherein the moveableblocking masses have been displaced and swing levers disengaged fromcontact with the moveable member, enabling anchorage extraction andsubsequent energy management through displacement of the deformablemember;

FIG. 33 illustrates an alternative energy management device utilizing adynamic anchor displacement and energy management control interlock tofacilitate dynamic energy management, represented by a slide plateinertial control system;

FIG. 34 illustrates a sectional view taken from the perspective of line34-34 of FIG. 33 shown in a static un-deployed state;

FIG. 35 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative energy managementdevice incorporating a dynamic anchor displacement and energy managementcontrol interlock represented by a rotating mass that releases a slideblock enabling anchorage extraction and subsequent energy managementthrough displacement of the deformable member;

FIG. 36 illustrates the FIG. 35 device in a static test environmentcondition in which the slide block is engaged with the rotating mass,precluding the extraction of the anchor;

FIG. 37 illustrates the FIG. 35 device wherein the rotating mass hasbeen displaced to permit the movement of the slide block, extraction ofthe anchor, and distortion of the deformable member;

FIG. 38 illustrates the FIG. 35 device, wherein the anchor is extractedand the deformable member displaced;

FIG. 39 illustrates a side view of another alternative energy managementdevice incorporating a dynamic anchor displacement and energy managementcontrol interlock, and a loop-shaped deformation member;

FIG. 40 illustrates the FIG. 39 device wherein an articulating retentionmember lever has pivoted forward and the anchor has been released anddistortion of deformable member has occurred;

FIG. 41 illustrates the FIG. 39 device with the deformable memberpartially deployed;

FIG. 42 illustrates an alternative energy management deviceincorporating a dynamic anchor displacement and energy managementcontrol interlock wherein a retention member directly engages aloop-shaped deformation member;

FIG. 42 a illustrates an alternative energy management device whereinthe loop-shaped deformable member has varying geometry to furtherenhance variable or multi-level load limiting capability;

FIG. 43 illustrates an alternative energy management deviceincorporating a dynamic anchor displacement and energy managementcontrol interlock and a connecting member that wraps around aspool-shaped retainer member, wherein the deformable material member isspring-like;

FIG. 44 is a rear view of the FIG. 43 device;

FIG. 45 illustrates an alternative energy management device with adeformable member extending through the load bearing retainer member tomanage energy transfer and anchorage extraction;

FIG. 46 illustrates an alternative energy management device employing atapered slot within a deformable side wall member of the load bearingretainer member, wherein a tab engages the slot to resist rotation ofthe adjoined deformable and load bearing retainer members during anchorextraction;

FIG. 47 illustrates a sectional view taken from the perspective of line47-47 in FIG. 46, showing the tab and slot relationship;

FIG. 48 illustrates a section view of an alternative energy managementdevice where a stud penetrates a hole in an axle to resist rotation ofthe load bearing retainer member during anchor extraction;

FIG. 49 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative energymanagement system that includes a guide receptacle feature formaintaining and restoring the position of an extractable anchor;

FIG. 50 illustrates a variety of mounting configurations in which one ormore energy management anchorage devices may be positioned;

FIG. 51 illustrates a pivotally mounted energy management device;

FIG. 52 illustrates one example of a pivotally mounted energy managementdevice mounted relative to a vehicle seat;

FIG. 53 illustrates an alternative energy management system wherein apair of moveable anchors are configured to react against one or moredeformable members disposed in a common location;

FIG. 54 illustrates an alternative energy management anchorage system inwhich one or more deformable members may be disposed within a singlehousing or interfacing housings;

FIG. 55 illustrates an energy management anchorage system in which oneor more deformable members are disposed relative to a single retainer tomanage the combined energy transferred along a common load path throughthe upper and lower anchorages, for at least one seating position;

FIG. 56 illustrates an alternative energy management device with aplurality of different deformable members contained within a singlehousing, or relative to a single retainer to control a single anchor;

FIG. 57 illustrates an alternative energy management device whereinmultiple deformable members are disposed within a single housing tomanage the energy transferred to the upper and lower anchorages, wherethe upper and lower anchorage load paths are oriented in opposingdirections;

FIG. 58 illustrates systems such as those depicted in FIGS. 54 and 55mounted in a satellite location beneath the vehicle seat; and

FIG. 59 illustrates positioning systems such as the one illustrated inFIG. 57 in a satellite location on the back of a vehicle seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an energy management anchor device 10, a child seat12, a vehicle seat 14 and an occupant 16. In this embodiment a toptether 18 is shown secured to the device 10 and to the child seat 12.Device 10 may be affixed to a structural or load bearing member of thevehicle such as a package tray or roof, to the vehicle seat, to thefloor or a trunk wall of the vehicle or to an alternative member in analternative location permitted by law, to enable child seat attachmentwith the anchors. In this embodiment, the device 10 is depicted in alocation representing attachment to a package tray or vehicle roof.

With reference to FIG. 2, device 10 includes a housing or retainer 20,relative to which at least one load bearing deformable member or energyabsorption material 28, a generally non-deformable moveable load bearingmember 30, and an anchor 22 may be displaced. Device 10 may include oneor more interlocking members 32 (depicted as a spring clips or elongatedlocking tabs extending from retainer 20 in this embodiment). A childseat tether hook, clasp, clip or quick connect claw-like mechanism 24attaches to anchor 22. The device may additionally include one or moreanchor biasing return assist members 26 (depicted as springs for thisembodiment). The retainer 20 may have a top, bottom, end walls and sidewalls 34 with one or more openings 36 for one or more connecting members42 to extend and extract through as anchor 22 is dynamically displaced.One or more of the side walls 34 of retainer 20 may have one or moreinterlocking engagement surfaces 38 (depicted as window openings in thehousing or retainer in this embodiment) for receiving the interlockingmembers 32 that impinge upon the moveable load bearing member 30 undercertain conditions. An interlocking engagement surface 38 may berepresented by one or more surfaces of a clearance aperture in theretainer wall as shown, or by at least one alternative contact surfaceoriented in a manner to adequately retain an interlocking member in afixed position and to facilitate in restraining displacement of themoveable load bearing member. Interlocking engagement surfaces 38 andinterlocking member 32 may be adapted to be represented by alternativecomponent geometries, positioned in a plurality of non-limitinglocations along the length or width of device 10, or in relation to theend wall of retainer 20, opposite the end incorporating opening 36. Asingle interlocking member 32 may be configured to achieve the desiredfunctional result, or multiple interlocking members 32 may beincorporated, as is depicted by a pair of members encompassingsymmetrically disposed connecting members 42 in FIG. 2.

In the FIG. 2 embodiment, both the individual component walls of housingor retainer 20 and the interlocking members 32 are depicted as beingaffixed to one another through the use of fasteners 40 and 41,respectively, but it will be appreciated that other means of joining thewalls of retainer 20 and interlocking member(s) 32 such as tabs or clipsto housing 20, are contemplated. The retainer 20 may be more efficientlyand integrally formed to include a greater number of wall surfaces in asingle component, thereby requiring fewer independent and distinctlyseparate top, bottom, side or end wall component enclosure surfaces beassembled to one another and reducing or eliminating the need for use offasteners 40. Additionally, integral interlocking member(s) 32 may beconfigured to extend directly from the retainer 20, through a variety ofcurrent and emerging manufacturing processes, eliminating the need forseparate assembly by way of fastener 41. In general, the geometries ofthe components of device 10 may vary from that depicted while stillachieving the same functional performance in alternative packageenvironments. Return assist members may be configured to surround theconnecting member for package efficiency (as generally shown in thefigures contained herein), or may be disposed elsewhere within orexternal to the device retainer, such as adjacent to, or in series with,connecting member(s) or movable member(s) as is shown in later Figures.

The components of the energy management device shown in FIG. 2 (andother embodiments later described or depicted herein) may beself-contained within a housing or retainer 20 that may be generallyrepresented as an enclosure. Alternatively, the components of a devicemay instead be maintained in assembly relative to a retainer, or partialhousing, having few wall surfaces that do not entirely encapsulate thecomponents of said device. FIG. 2 depicts a device with 2 end walls and3 side walls, for example. A fourth side wall may be removed from theFIG. 2 device in order to more clearly expose the internal componentsfor illustration purposes, or to provide an example of a device havingcomponents that are not entirely encapsulated the device retainer. Anend wall may be removed from the devices depicted in FIGS. 7-10 withoutadversely affecting device function. The devices of FIGS. 39-48 arefurther shown having a base-like mounting wall member and a moveable orfixed-position, cylindrically shaped load bearing member representingthe primary components of said retainer, for example. A pair of mountingarms extend from the base-like wall of said retainer in various latterfigures. An energy management restraint anchor device may be mounted toa structural member within the vehicle, relative to an independentenclosure or cover that is operable to further encapsulate said device.Said enclosure or cover may be installed during the vehicle assemblyprocess, and may attach directly to a component of the vehicle locatedin proximity to the energy management device itself. For example, anindependent aesthetic cover (not shown) may be affixed to the vehicleseatback or package tray, or members such as vehicle seat backs orpackage trays themselves may incorporate cover-like geometries, operableto contain and protect any at least partially exposed working componentsof said device, relative to retainer 20. Enclosing the components of therestraint device may prevent direct access by occupants or items thatmay be found in a vehicle environment that may come into contact withthe device and affect device functionality.

In the FIG. 2 embodiment, the load bearing deformable member 28 isdisposed between the two axially extending connecting members 42, whichmay either be represented by independent components affixed to anchor22, or may be integrally formed as an extension of anchor 22. Connectingmembers 42 in this embodiment are shown integral to anchor 22. Inreference to fixed-position, or moveable load bearing members generallydescribed in reference to the embodiment of the FIG. 2 device, andvarious latter embodiments described or depicted herein, said loadbearing member may also be affixed or fastened to one or more connectingmembers, or may be integrally formed as a single continuous componentcomprising a moveable member portion, a connecting member portion and ananchor (or anchor end) portion. As such, connecting members, loadbearing members and anchors or anchor ends may simply be described asinterfacing one another without specificity as to the means ofinterfacing engagement. The deformable member(s) 28 may be comprised ofany materials and geometries capable of providing appropriatedeformation characteristics, enabling controlled energy management andcorresponding anchor displacement for a given application. For example,the deformable member 28 may be represented by a thin walled, hexagonalcell structure aluminum extrusion.

It will be appreciated that one or more load bearing deformable membersdescribed in reference to the embodiment of the FIG. 2 device, andvarious latter embodiments described or depicted herein, could beresilient, having “memory”, wherein the deformable member exhibits thecapability of partially or completely rebounding and recovering at leastsome portion of its initial geometry and load carrying capability afterhaving been distorted. Such capability may facilitate re-use of the loadbearing deformable material, which may enable device 10 to function inmultiple instances of abrupt vehicle deceleration, in the event of asecondary impact, a rollover, or similar type of vehicle impactcondition. High density energy absorption foams, various fiber meshesand other materials such as these further provide rate sensitive loadcarrying characteristics, wherein rapid loading results in effectivelystiffening the material. With materials of this nature, the rate ofrecovery may differ from the rate of loading. Thus, it will beappreciated that various forms of deformable material 28 can beemployed, depending upon the desired performance result. It should alsobe noted in reference to the embodiment of the FIG. 2 device, andvarious latter devices described or depicted herein, that one or moredeformable members may instead be configured to manage energy by way ofexpansion rather than compression, by twisting, rotating or uncoilingrelative to an axis, or by distorting one or more contact surfacesrelative to another member of the device as a result of an interferencecondition between at least one moveable member and another fixed ormoveable member, wherein the deformable member itself may be eitherfixed or moveable. Deformable member(s) 28 may be configured to bedisposed within or external to retainer 20, and may be located otherthan between connecting members 42. As an alternative means of energymanagement or interlocking anchor control, one or more side walls ofretainer 20 may include extended apertures or slots having constant orvariable geometry, operable to be deformed by a tab-like protrusionextending from the load bearing moveable member for the purposes ofenergy management and controlling said anchors displacement. In general,deformable members described in reference to this and the variousforthcoming device embodiments described herein, are operable to biasthe position of an anchor to maintain an initial position prior to beingdistorted and permitting the anchor to be located in a variety ofalternative retracted positions.

The components of the device 10 (and other devices herein) may becomprised of composite, metallic, or alternative material compositionssuitable to satisfy functional performance requirements for an energymanagement restraint anchor device and maintain compliance to variousautomotive standards. It will also be appreciated that the embodiment ofthe FIG. 2 device, and various latter devices described or depictedherein, may also be configured for inspection and adaptation for re-useby replacing the load bearing deformable member 28 with new material. Anindicator may be included to inform the occupant the device 10 has beendeployed. It will further be appreciated that while a single energymanagement device 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in the context of being usedwith a top tether anchor arrangement interfacing with a child seat, aplurality of said devices may also be employed to further provide energymanagement restraint capability for lower anchor attachments asillustrated in FIG. 50 and 54, or a single device may be adapted tomanage the energy and the displacement of multiple top tether and lowerlatch anchors, as depicted in various figures herein, such as FIGS. 53,54, 55, 57, 58 and 59.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the anchor device 10 shownin FIG. 2 from the perspective of arrow 3-3. This section cut revealsthe device 10 in a un-deployed, or inactive state, prior to the externalapplication of sufficient loading imposed on anchor 22, to initiate theenergy management functionality of the device. The interlocking members32 incorporate an inward detent portion 44 disposed to contactinterlocking engagement surfaces 38 within the window opening ofretainer 20 providing a stop for the outer part 46 of the moveable loadbearing member 30 to rest against. While not shown, a distortablemembrane of the type shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 may beincorporated, disposed relative an interior of a retainer side wall 34,covering the window opening in the retainer to maintain a at least afirst position of an interlocking member 32. Said first position may beone of initial disengagement from contact with moveable member 30. Saidfirst position of interlocking member may permit a first position ofmoveable member directly adjacent to the window openings in the sidewalls of retainer 20 or biased towards the end wall of retainer 20,opposite the anchor end having openings 36. Movement of load bearingmoveable member relative to the retainer wall causes distortion of themembrane, permitting the interlocking member to protrude through thewindow opening of retainer 20, enabling contact with moveable member 30to control anchor movement and provide a second interlocked positionbetween moveable member 30 and interlocking member position 32.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device 10 in an activestate, wherein the application of sufficient loading is imposed onanchor 22 to transfer enough energy to load bearing movable member 30 toexceed a predetermined threshold load value, thereby initiating thedeformation of the energy absorption material(s) 28 and enabling thecorresponding extraction of anchor 22 in the direction of the arrow. Ascompression of load bearing deformable member(s) 28 occurs, energy isabsorbed, and the forces on the child 16 in child seat 12 (shown inFIG. 1) are managed. Management of the energy transferred to the childseat and to the child during anchorage extraction is achieved bycontrolling the anchorage displacement in combination with deformationof the deformable material(s) 28 as the child seat 12 translatesforward, downward and may rotate into the vehicle seat 14 depicted inFIG. 1.

After the occurrence of a significant vehicle deceleration event causingthe extraction of anchor 22, and corresponding deformation of energyabsorption material(s) 28, the anchor 22 rebounds and retracts, enablingthe child seat to be re-coupled with the vehicle seat. Retraction andsubsequent interlocking of the anchor 22 is illustrated in FIG. 5wherein the anchor 22 is shown in a retracted position and flexibleanchor biasing or return assist members 26 bias the anchor in adirection opposite that of extraction, creating a void 50 within theinternal cavity of the retainer. The void may exist permanently ortemporarily, depending on the configuration of load bearing deformablemember(s) 28 employed within device 10. While the flexible return assistmembers 26 are depicted as coil springs in this embodiment, in practicalapplication such members may also vary in geometry and position within,or external to an enclosed retainer 20 or relative to the walls of aretainer that is not represented as an enclosure or housing.Additionally, while independent return assist members 26 may be disposedto control retraction, or to supplement the natural retraction andrebounding motion of, the anchor 22 in order to reach a secondaryretracted and interlocked position, the independent return assistmembers 26 might be omitted from device 10 in instances where thecombination of component geometries, material properties or orientationof device 10 in the vehicle and restraint system performance indicateadequate retraction is repeatably achievable without incorporation of areturn assist feature. Furthermore, in some instances the load bearingdeformable member(s) themselves, represented in the embodiment of theFIG. 2 device and various latter devices described or depicted herein,may additionally provide an anchor return assist capability operable tofacilitate anchor retraction, by virtue of the inherent resiliencydemonstrated in certain recoverable load bearing deformable membersmaterial properties. In such instances, the resiliency of the deformablemember may supplement or replace the return assist capability that wouldotherwise have been provided by independent return assist members 26.

The moveable load bearing member 30 is shown interfacing intermediateconnecting members 42 engaged with anchor 22, at the end opposite tether24. In the rebound condition, the moveable member 30 retracts to alocked position, reliant upon contact with the detents 44 of theinterlocking members 32 in order secure the position of anchor 22. Oneadvantage of the present invention is provision of positive interlockingengagement of the retracted anchor 22 in order to restrain the anchor,reducing or preventing subsequent anchorage extraction after the childseat rebounds to re-engage the vehicle seat back 14, in the event ofmultiple instances of abrupt vehicle deceleration, a secondary impact,rollover or similar type of vehicle impact condition. Positiveinterlocking is especially advantageous in conjunction with designsincorporating expendable, non-recoverable load bearing deformablemembers 28 that create a resultant gap or void 50 between spent loadbearing deformable member 28 and the moveable member 30 during theenergy management phase of operation. The controlled resistance toextraction once provided by load bearing deformable member 28 is nolonger offered after such permanent deformation occurs. It will beappreciated that members or mechanisms other than interlocking members32 shown relative to device 10 may be employed to control anchormovement.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an energy management anchordevice 10 wherein at least one alternative load bearing deformablemember or energy absorption material 48 has been employed, the materialbeing resilient, capable of recoverable, non-permanent deformation.Recovery may occur unassisted and naturally over time. Recovery mayoccur nearly instantaneously, or may occur gradually, as desired toachieve intended performance for a given functional application.Alternatively, the rate or the amount of total recovery may besupplemented through the use of spring-like assist features 26, whichmay also serve to additionally, or independently, supplement theretraction of the anchor 22 towards its initial pre-deployed position.Upon having been retracted, anchor 22 may be interlocked throughengagement between moveable member 30 and detents 44 of the interlockingmembers 32 in order secure the position of anchor 22.

Alternatively, interlocking may not be desired in situations whereeventual or immediate device reactivation and/or re-use capability aredesired. It will be appreciated that a load bearing deformable member 48may rebound or recover partially, or more completely as is illustratedin FIG. 6. Further, the load bearing deformable member may also bepreloaded during manufacturing of device 10, or through end userinteraction. In such instances, load bearing deformable member 48 may bepermitted to recover completely when the anchor is retracted such thatvoid 50 referenced in FIG. 5 is eliminated when the anchor is retractedand interlocking occurs. For example, the recoverable load bearingdeformable member in FIG. 6 is shown having a greater geometry in arecovered and retracted position than in an initial position shown inFIG. 3. The rate of recovery of load bearing deformable member 48 and/orincorporation of anchor biasing or recovery assist features 26 will bedictated by the desired performance characteristics of a givenapplication of the energy management anchor device 10. In its retractedand interlocked position, load bearing moveable member 30 may directlycontact an inner surface 52 of an end wall 34 of retainer 20, or may bedisposed to create a small void relative to surface 52. The load bearingmoveable member 30, or interfacing contact surface 52, may include asound dampening material or incorporate sound dampening features (notshown) such as felt tape, compression springs or the like to resistrelative movement and noise.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative interlocking member configuration inassociation with an energy management device 60, a housing or retainer62, at least one connecting member 64, a moveable member 66 and one ormore spring mechanisms 68 operatively associated with one or moreinterlocking members 70 that are biased to extend from the load bearingmoveable member 66, wherein interlocking members are disposed within oneor more cavities 75. Interlocking member(s) 70 may be represented byspring biased tapered pins, as shown. Return assist members 26 (notshown) may be disposed to bias the anchor (not shown) prior to deviceactivation, and/or incorporated as an aid to supplement the retractionof the anchor towards its initial position during rebound, as describedin reference to the FIGS. 5 and 6 devices. Interlocking member(s) 70 arecaptured by interlocking engagement surface(s) 72 within housing 62,providing a stop for securing the moveable member 66, connecting member64 and the restraint anchor, when sufficiently retracted. Whileinterlocking engagement surfaces 72 are depicted as clearance holes inFIG. 7, engagement surfaces 72 may instead be represented by clearancepockets or detents that do not completely penetrate the wall of retainer62, or by alternative geometries disposed on a wall surface of retainer62 enabling similar functionality.

Interlocking members 70, or the holes 72 in housing 62, may be initiallycovered by a thin walled distortable membrane material 74, such asaluminum foil. Material 74 can be locally affixed to the outer surfaceof load bearing moveable member 66 as depicted in FIG. 7, or to theinner wall of housing 62 as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, in order tomechanically secure interlocking members 70 in an initially retractedposition. In such a configuration, interlocking members 70 may beinitially disposed directly adjacent the engagement surfaces (or holes)72 in retainer 62. As the load bearing moveable member 66 translateswithin a housing-like retainer enclosure or relative to at least onewall of a retainer 62 during the anchorage extraction phase, the directfrictional contact between penetrable membrane 74 and the inner wall ofretainer 62, (or between the moveable member 66 and the penetrablemembrane 74 if affixed to the inner wall of retainer 62), causes thedistortable membrane to peel away or to become punctured, thus enablingthe interlocking members 70 to be deployed for the purposes of engagingsurfaces 72 upon retraction. Alternatively, one or more protrusions 73extending from at least one inner wall surface of the retainer 62 may bedisposed to displace or tear membrane 74 affixed to moveable member 66as the anchor is extracted, releasing the spring biased pins 70 tointerlock with engagement surfaces 72 upon retraction. Once engaged,this interlocking configuration precludes secondary extraction of theanchorage from its now fixed position. To release the load bearingmoveable member 66 from a locked position, the interlocking members 70may be displaced to disengage the ends from contact with the holes 72.This action releases the fixed anchor to permit displacement. Thisaction might also be taken if the device is configured to incorporate areplaceable load bearing deformable member.

Interlocking members 70 contained within load bearing moveable member 66may instead be configured to maintain a constant and direct frictionalcontact surface engagement with at least one inner wall surface ofretainer 62 in a first position and as the moveable member is displacedrelative to the retainer. Spring mechanisms 68 remain compressed as theanchor is extracted and retracted until the anchor and load bearingmoveable member 66 are retracted sufficiently to permit interlockingmembers 70 to engage the clearance holes 72 in a second position. Insuch a configuration, wherein distortable membrane 74 and protrusion 73have been omitted, the holes 72 may be disposed such that load bearingmoveable member 66 interlocks in a second, slightly more retractedposition, compared to the original pre-deployed position, in order toprevent interlocking member 70 from interlocking with engagementsurfaces 72 during extraction.

FIG. 7 further illustrates a modification to device 60 to alternativelyemploy a sensor S, a control device C, and an actuator A in associationwith the retainer 62. The sensor S can operate to sense an abrupt changein vehicle acceleration or an impact condition and generate a signal S₁.The sensor may also detect the position of an anchor, or of a moveablemember interfacing an anchor during extraction or retraction. The signalS₁ is transmitted to a control device C that causes an actuator todisplace one or more interlocking members 70. Actuator A may berepresented by a magnet/electromagnet, solenoid, motor, or other deviceimparting a charge or otherwise facilitating displacement ofinterlocking member(s) 70. Distortable membrane 74 and protrusion 73 inretainer 62 may be omitted. The actuator may be configured to deploy aninterlocking member 70 to interlock with an engagement surface 72,fixing the position of the moveable member 66, controlling the movementof the corresponding anchor. The actuator may additionally (oralternatively) be configured to displace or retract an interlockingmember 70 in order to disengage said member from contact with surface72, thus freeing the movable member 66 and the corresponding anchor.Spring mechanisms 68 may be included to bias the position of theinterlocking members in certain configurations, and omitted in otherswhere an actuator controls the full range of functional positions of theinterlocking members. The above described sensor-controller-actuatorbased functionality provides a device having a tunable, dynamic anchordisplacement and energy management control interlock that may beincorporated to provide distinctly different device performance underdynamic and quasi-static loading conditions. Said functionality furtherenables device 60 to satisfy the aforementioned FMVSS regulations.

It shall be noted that in reference to FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, alternativeembodiments may employ an inverse component relationship whereininterlocking members 70 and spring mechanisms 68 are disposed within oneor more walls of retainer 62 in order to interlock with engagementsurfaces 72 alternatively disposed in moveable member 66. The foregoingreferences to incorporation of distortable membranes 74, protrusions 73,a sensor S, a control device C, and/or an actuator A may be adapted toachieve the same aforementioned functionality in such alternativeconfigurations of device 60. Similarly, sensor S, control device C andactuator A may be incorporated in association with other interlockingengagement configurations in association with various devices describedor depicted later herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative interlocking engagement anchordesign for an energy management device 76. The device 76 includes ahousing, or retainer 62, at least one connecting member 64, a moveableload bearing member 78, and at least one interlocking member 80.Interlocking member 80 may take the form of a spring biased tab or clip,may be made of spring steel, or may be alternatively configured from asuitable material incorporating adequate flexibility to be displaced bythe moveable load bearing member 78 during rebound and retraction. Theinterlocking member 80 further exhibits adequate structural integrity tointerlock and maintain the position of the moveable load bearing member78, connecting member 64 and the anchor (not shown) under a secondaryloading condition, wherein the deformable material may have beenexpended, for example. Fastener 82 may be incorporated to retaininterlocking member 80. Alternatively, interlocking member 80 may beconfigured to be integral to a component of the retainer 62, rather thana separately affixed component. Interlocking member 80 is operable tomaneuver within window 84 to engage surface 86 of the moveable member78, collectively operating as a stop to secure the moveable member 78 inplace, thereby fixing the position of the anchor attached to moveablemember 78 interfacing with connecting member 64. The interlockingconfigurations depicted in FIGS. 2 and, 8 generally operate to minimizeor reduce secondary extraction of the anchor to which a child seat isattached in a vehicle. The device may be configured for reuse. In orderto reset the device 76, the interlocking member 80 may be displaced inan outward direction with respect to the retainer, thus allowing theouter tip of the interlocking member 80 to be drawn away from themoveable load bearing member 78. A distortable membrane (not shown) maybe incorporated to control at least a first position of interlockingmember 80. A sensor, controller and actuator may be adapted to controlinterlocking relationship of device 76.

FIG. 9 illustrates another alternative energy management device 90. Thedevice 90 includes a retainer 92 shown having side walls 94 and interiorwalls 96. Interior wall 96 has a generally axially extending clearancechannel 98 in one or more interior walls 96 of interior cavity 100 ofretainer 92. Retainer 92 incorporates one or more detents, apertures orengagement surfaces 102, operable to receive one or more interlockingmembers 114. The device 90 further includes a moveable load bearingmember 104 capable of being displaced within cavity 100. The moveablemember 104 includes a protrusion 106 that extends along a portion 108 ofan outer wall of member 104 and is operable to be received within theclearance channel 98 of interior cavity 100. The moveable load bearingmember 104 is moveable within the interior cavity 100 of retainer 92 andslides axially relative to the clearance channel 98. A distortablemembrane 116 is shown, affixed to side wall 94 of retainer 92. Retainer92 need not necessarily be represented by an enclosure-like housingencapsulating the interior components of device 90.

The moveable load bearing member 104 includes at least one interiorcavity 110 that receives a spring 112 and an interlocking member 114that act in concert with one another to slide within the interior cavity110 of moveable member 104. Interlocking member 114 is represented by apin in FIG. 9. The geometry of interlocking member 114 may be alteredwhile achieving the same functional performance. Member 114 is operableto be received by a corresponding engagement surface, detent or aperture102 to act as a stop, securing the position of moveable member 104 whenretracted. Distortable membrane 116 may be oriented to cover engagementsurface or aperture 102 and clearance channel 98 in order to precludepremature deployment of the interlocking member 114 into aperture 102.Membrane 116 can be made of foil or an alternative suitable materialcapable of being sufficiently penetrated or displaced by protrusion 106to enable member 114 to engage surface 102.

Clearance channel 98 may extend substantially along the length ofretainer 92 or may extend only a short distance sufficient to permitadequate penetration or displacement of membrane 116 and enableinterlocking member 114 to engage surface 102. Surface 102 and member114 may be alternatively configured to be represented by geometriesother than a clearance hole and corresponding round pin. Channel 98 maybe configured to extend axially as shown, or in the direction ofanchorage extraction if extraction occurs off axis, with respect to theretainer side walls. One or more channels 98 and protrusions 106 may berepresented by alternative interfacing geometries sufficient to enableprotrusion 106 to penetrate or displace membrane 116, said geometriesbeing represented by other than a v-shaped notch and a correspondingkeyed v-shaped protrusion. As an alternative to channel 98 being axiallyaligned with the recessed engagement surface 102, one or moreprotrusions 106 and channels 98 may be oriented such that the travelpath of a protrusion 106, relative to a channel 98, is adjacent to therecessed engagement surface 102, wherein protrusion 106 remains capableof sufficiently penetrating or displacing membrane 116 during retractionto enable interlocking members 114 to engage surfaces 102 when theanchor is retracted.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view 10-10 taken from FIG. 9, whereindevice 90 is shown in a static condition with the membrane 116maintaining the interlocking member 114 in a compressed state. As themoveable member 104 traverses in the direction of the arrow, protrusion106 penetrates or displaces membrane 116 thus exposing the engagementsurfaces or apertures 102. When the movable member retracts,interlocking members 114 are permitted to engage surfaces 102, therebylocking the anchor in place. It will be appreciated that the device 90employs other components discussed in the other figures herein, such asdeformable material, at least one connecting member 64 interfacing toload bearing moveable member 104 and a restraint anchor. Device 90 mayinclude one or more anchor biasing elements and may be adapted toinclude a sensor, controller and actuator.

With reference to FIG. 11, an alternative energy management device 120includes a retainer 122, relative to which a moveable load bearingmember 124 and at least one interlocking member 126 are positioned. Suchfeatures as the aforementioned load bearing deformable member 28, anchor22, connecting member 64, and return assist members 26, not all of whichare redrawn in FIG. 11. The retainer includes side walls 128 and an endwall 130. The end wall 130 includes openings 132 that are operable toreceive a portion of the interlocking member 126. Interlocking member126 is connected with moveable member 124 and includes one or moreextension arms 134 that are operable to engage surface 136 of theretainer end wall 130. A contact portion 138 of arm 134 is operable toengage surface 136. Springs 140 generally bias arms 134 in the directionof engagement between portion 138 and surface 136. The orientation ofinterlocking members 126 and the contact portions 138 in FIG. 11 may beamended such that the contact portions 138 face one another, face inopposite directions or may be asymmetrically oriented if so desired. Thearms 134 are pivotally connected at one end to a portion of the moveablemember 124. The spring 140 interfaces between the pivotally connectedend of the arm 134 and the moveable member 124 so as to impart itsbiasing force upon the arms 134. To disengage the arms 134 ofinterlocking member 126 from the end wall 130 of the retainer, the endof arm 134 having the contact portion 138 may be displaced against thespring bias force, thus allowing the moveable member 124 to bedisengaged from end 130 and the anchor to again be displaced.

It will be appreciated that interlocking members 126 may be rigidlyaffixed or integral to the moveable member 124, or may be pivotallyattached to member 124 as shown. The interlocking member 126 may beconfigured to displace momentarily, relative to a first disengagedposition, in order to enable the interlocking member to pass through theaperture and just beyond the interlocking engagement surface 136 of theretainer 122, before engaging surface 136 in a second, engaged position.This may be achieved employing a semi-flexible interlocking member 126that is rigidly engaged with moveable member 124, or by incorporating aspring-like mechanism to bias rigid interlocking member, pivotallyengaged with member 124 as shown. An interlocking contract relationshipmay be represented by a hook-like catch portion of an interlockingmember passing through a clearance aperture and engaging an exteriorsurface of the retainer as shown, or instead be represented by a catchportion of the interlocking member engaging the surface of a recessedpocket disposed in end wall 130 to become interlocked. A sensor, controldevice and actuator(s) may be incorporated to control movement ofinterlocking components, as discussed in reference to FIG. 7, wherein anactuator facilitates the displacement of interlocking member 126,causing contact portion 138 of arm 134 to engage or disengage surface136 of retainer 122. Such a configuration may be especially beneficialin association with a device 120 that incorporates one or morerecoverable load bearing deformable members. A mechanical device 120 mayalso be configured such that the contact portion ends 138 ofinterlocking members 126 are initially recessed within openings 132, orends 138 may be positioned proximate to the interior surface of end wall130 (opposite surface 136), in a first static position to assureprevention of interlocking engagement before an anchor has beenpermitted to extract. Such configurations may be especially beneficialfor expendable one-time use, limited use/re-use devices or for devicesthat incorporate replaceable deformable materials and may be resettable.It is further noted that the interlocking engagement relationship mayinstead be represented by the inverse condition in which theinterlocking members are disposed on end wall 130 of retainer 122 andinterlocking engagement surface 136 is instead disposed on the moveablemember 124 itself. Further, the interlocking may be achieved byalternative means such as through the use of magnets.

With reference to FIG. 12, an alternative energy management device 150includes a retainer 152, a moveable load bearing member 154 and one ormore interlocking members 156. The retainer 152 includes an end wall 158having one or more apertures 160 for receiving a portion of theinterlocking member 156. Interlocking members 156 include one or moreextension arms 162 that extend away from the moveable member 154. Theupper portion of the arm 162 includes a contact portion 166 that engagesthe upper surface 168 of the end wall 158. Contact portion 166 isdepicted by a hook-like catch feature in FIG. 12 but may differ inpractical application. Interlocking members may be pivotally connectedto the moveable member by a rod, pin, screw or the like. A spring 164 isshown, operable to bias the opposite end of arm 162 towards engagementwith surface 168 of retainer end wall 158. An offset mass 170 is shownassociated with arm 162 of interlocking member 156. Members 156 depictedin FIG. 12 have an L-shaped configuration with mass 170 and hook shapedcontact portion 166 at opposite ends.

Device 150 may employ a similar deformable material 28 or 48 inassociation with retainer 152, and may also include interfacingconnecting member(s) 64 and anchor 22 as discussed above in reference tosuch Figures as FIG. 2 and FIG. 6. Accordingly, these features will notbe discussed again.

When inertial forces of sufficient magnitude are imposed on device 150,as the result of an abrupt vehicle deceleration or a vehicle impactcondition, the mass 170 is displaced, overcoming the biasing force ofspring 164. Arm 162 of interlocking member 166 is then permitted torotate, disengaging contact portion 166 from surface 168. The moveablemember 154 and corresponding anchor are then permitted to be extractedin the direction of the arrow if the loads imposed on the restraintanchor are sufficient to initiate distortion of the deformable material.It will be appreciated that one or more anchor-biasing/return assistmembers or recoverable deformable materials described in reference tothe device of FIGS. 2 and 6, respectively, can be employed to biasmoveable member 154 towards retainer end wall 158, opposite thedirection of the arrow. Return assist capability may facilitatereturning the moveable member 154 and associated restraint anchor (notshown) to retracted, initial positions shown in FIG. 12. Moveable member154 may re-engage and become interlocked with end wall 152, precludingthe associated anchor from subsequently extracting until sufficientinertial and anchor loading forces are again imposed device 150, mass170 and the anchor.

It will be appreciated that the inertial release system depicted in FIG.12 can have the mass 170 associated with the arm 162 in a variety ofconfigurations. For example, the mass 170 could be positioned elsewhererelative to contact portion 166 of the interlocking member arm 162, solong as it provides the intended inertial release functionality allowingthe arms 162 to disengage the end wall 158.

The interlocking engagement relationship of device 150 may instead berepresented by the inverse condition in which the interlocking membersare disposed on end 158 of retainer 152, and corresponding interlockingengagement surface 168 is disposed on the moveable member 154 itself.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternative energy managementdevice 180 includes a retainer 182, a moveable load bearing member 184interfacing with a restraint anchor (not shown), and at least oneinterlocking member 186. The retainer includes side walls 188 and aninternal cavity 190 that is operable to receive the load bearingmoveable member 184. The aforementioned interlocking members 186 may beintegral or permanently affixed to moveable load bearing member 184,relative to the end of member 184 that faces retainer end plate or wall206. A contact portion 194 of interlocking member 186 is operable tocontact an engagement surface 202 of a moveable load bearing retentionmember 200. At least one spring 198 and retention member 200 are locatedin close proximity to end wall 206, or within end wall 206 of theretainer 182 as shown. The retention member 200 may extend across themajority of the width of the retainer and translate within a channel 204disposed within an end wall 206 or side walls 188 of retainer 182.Member 200 may also be configured to span a shorter distance within anend wall. Spring 198 biases the retention member 200 within channel 204,in the direction of engagement with interlocking member 186.

FIG. 13 illustrates moveable member 184 in a first position, disengagedfrom the retainer end wall 206 and the corresponding components showncontained therein. (FIG. 14 clearly identifies end wall 206). FIG. 14illustrates a section 14-14 through device 180 taken from perspectiveshown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 depicts the moveable member 184 in secondinterlocked position, wherein the position of the correspondingrestraint anchor is fixed. Relative to said first position, surface 196of interlocking member 186 of FIG. 14 has displaced retention member 200within channel 204, overcoming the biasing force of spring 198 as themoveable member 184 and interlocking members 186 move towards retainerend wall 206 during the anchorage retraction phase of device operation.The biasing force of spring 198 causes retention member 200 to againtranslate within channel 204 to facilitate contact between portion 194and engagement surface 202, immediately after surface 196 ofinterlocking member 186 is relieved of contact with engagement member200. Interlocking is achieved when contact portion 194 of interlockingmember 186 is permitted to interface with engagement surface 202 ofretention member 200. It will be appreciated that device 180 alsoincorporates one or more deformable material members and may furtherinclude anchor biasing elements and other functional hardware describedin reference to aforementioned figures.

In an alternative configuration, interlocking members 186 can be affixedto the end wall 206. The spring biased retention members 200 and springs198 may be disposed within, or attached externally to, the moveablemember 184. In this version, the moveable member may require inclusionof apertures or cavities for receiving the contact portion 194 portionof the interlocking members 186.

For illustration purposes, the interlocking member contact portion 194is represented by a hook-like geometry engaging a rod-shaped retentionmember 200. It is appreciated that the interfacing geometries of thesecomponents may be varied while achieving the same functionalperformance. Additionally, a sensor, control device and actuator(s) maybe incorporated to provide the function described in reference to FIG.7, wherein an actuator facilitates displacement of interlocking orretention members to control anchor movement. Device 180 may beconfigured such that the contact portions 194 of interlocking members186 are either partially recessed within clearance openings 192 in endwall 206, or entirely disengaged from contact with end wall 206, in afirst condition, to ensure the displacement of an anchor is notrestricted by interlocking engagement relative to a second condition,wherein anchor extraction is desired. A third condition may berepresented as a retracted and interlocked position. If channel 204,retention member 200 and springs 198 are disposed relative to said sidewall 188 instead of end wall 206, said first condition may berepresented by positioning moveable member nearer the anchor end of saiddevice, whereby interlocking member 186 initially disengaged fromretention member 200.

With reference to FIG. 15, a cross-sectional view of another alternativeinterlocking engagement configuration is shown, wherein energymanagement device 220 incorporates at least one contact stripinterlocking member that releases from an initial resting position,after having been dislodged by the moveable member during anchorextraction. Once released from a pre-deployed position, engagement ofthe interlocking member is permitted to occur with a plurality ofcorresponding incremental interlocking engagement surfaces as themoveable member and restraint anchor rebound or retract. Thisinterlocking engagement of the moveable member during rebound minimizesextraction of the anchor in the event of subsequent abrupt vehicledecelerations, or secondary impact or rollover events. Suchfunctionality may be beneficial relative to an energy managementrestraint anchor device incorporating slow recovery or non-recoverabledeformable materials, or a device having an anchor that retractspartially during rebound, relative to an initial position.

The device 220 includes at least one contact strip interlocking member222, one or more connecting members 224, a retainer 226, at least oneload bearing deformable member 228 and a moveable member 230. The devicemay additionally incorporate one or more flexible return assist members232 that may also initially bias an anchor 246. The contact stripinterlocking member 222 has a plurality of interlocking engagementfeatures 234 that are operable to be received within openings 236 inretainer 226. At least one intermediate chock 238 may be disposed at theanchor end of interlocking member 222, causing the interlocking memberand corresponding engagement features 234 to rest offset from engagementwith retainer 226. Chock tip 240 is shown resting against the anchorretainer 226. Chock 238 is also depicted in FIG. 15 as an integralfeature of interlocking member 222. Chock 238 is displaced fromengagement with retainer 226 when struck by moveable member 230 duringthe anchor extraction phase of the device operation. Displacement ofchock 238 enables engagement of the interlocking member 222 with theretainer 226.

Contact strip interlocking member 222 may be comprised of a materialhaving inherent spring-like material property characteristics, such asspring steel, and be held in place by at least one fastener 242 securingit to the retainer. As such, member 222 would have adequate flexibilityto dynamically spring into a position of contact with the retainer afterbeing released from an offset position when chock 238 is dislodged bymoveable member 230 during anchorage extraction. Member 222 may furtherbe displaced in an opposite direction to permit the moveable member toratchet past one or more interlocking engagement features duringretraction, for the purpose of retaining moveable member 230 and toprevent additional anchorage extraction. Material properties andcomponent feature geometries would be selected to ensure member 222 isalso sufficiently rigid when positioned to maintain positiveinterlocking engagement between moveable member 230 and interlockingengagement features 234. Alternatively, contact strip 222 may begenerally rigid, wherein it may be released from an offset position topermit interlocking engagement features 234 to retain moveable member230, by adapting device 220 to incorporate a mechanical hinge and springassist feature disposed at the end opposite chock 238. Such aconfiguration would then facilitate rotation of a rigid interlockingmember 222 into a position of engagement with moveable member 230.

Chock 238 may instead be represented as a separate, intermediatecomponent disposed to initially separate interlocking member 222 fromcontact with retainer 226. An independent chock may be displaced bysliding, rotating or otherwise disengaging from contact with one or theother or both of the retainer 226 or contact strip 222 upon beingdislodged by moveable member 230. However, the chock should operate toprovide the same basic function whether integral or not. It should alsobe noted that interlocking engagement features 234 may take the form ofteeth (as shown) or employ alternative geometries to provide the samefunction. The quantity, spacing, geometry and location of the openings236 and interlocking engagement features 234 may be varied from thatdepicted. Further, the geometry, mounting location or orientation of thechock 238, the contact strip interlocking member 222, and correspondinginterlocking engagement surfaces 234 and openings 236 may deviate fromthat depicted while still achieving the desired functional performance.Device 220 may be alternatively configured to permit displacement ofchock 238 during the anchorage retraction phase instead of theextraction phase. The initial design position of chock 238 may differfrom that shown in FIG. 15. An initial position closer to the anchor endof device 220 requires the anchor extract further to initiateincremental retraction interlocking capability. An initial positionfarther from the anchor end of device 220 requires less anchordisplacement to enable incremental retraction interlocking capability.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device 220 in whichthe chock 238 has been disengaged from its initial position. This occursas a result of contact made by the outer surface 244 of the moveablemember 230 as it engages the tip 240 of chock 238 when anchor 246 isextracted (see arrow) and as the deformable material 228 is deformed.This action allows the interlocking engagement features 234 to enter theopenings 236 when contact strip interlocking member 222 collapses toengage retainer 226.

With reference to the cross-sectional view in FIG. 17, the anchor 246 isshown in a partially retracted position. The retraction of anchor 246during rebound may be supplemented by anchor biasing return assistmembers 232. Anchor 246 may be permitted to retract after apredetermined amount of deformation of energy absorption material orload bearing deformable member 228 has occurred. Following initialanchorage extraction, the child seat, being connected to anchor 246 byway of child seat attachment clasp, clip or claw-like mechanism 248,re-engages or rebounds towards the vehicle seating surfaces. During therebound and anchorage retraction phase, surface 245 of moveable member230 may incrementally displace interlocking member 222 (having engagedretainer 226) when contacting the successive ramp-like surfaces 243 oninterlocking engagement features 234. Surface 244 of moveable member 230contacts an interlocking engagement surface 250 on one of theinterlocking engagement features 234, thus creating a positive stop forthe moveable member relative to the interlocking member. The anchor 246is now prevented from being re-deployed, thus preventing subsequentextraction. Such a configuration may be especially preferred for adevice in which at least one non-recoverable load bearing deformablemember is incorporated and/or full retraction of an anchor to itspre-deployed position may not occur.

Incremental interlocking may be incorporated for the purpose ofcapturing and maintaining the maximum amount of achievable retraction asa child seat rebounds and re-engages the vehicle seat to correspondinglyminimize subsequent anchorage extraction. The load bearing deformablemember 228 depicted in this embodiment has no memory or resiliency andis non-recoverable. It will be appreciated that one or more load bearingdeformable members 228 could be employed having memory, being capable ofrecovering some or all of the initial geometry and load carryingcapability after having initially being deformed, whether or not theanchor is capable of full retraction in a given application.Additionally, while not shown, a deformable material could alternativelybe configured to manage energy through extension rather thancompression, being operatively associated with the anchor 246 and/ormoveable member 230 and at least one interfacing connecting member 224,and still incorporate interlocking characteristics described relative toFIGS. 15, 16 and 17.

In order to reduce the complexity of FIGS. 18 through 59, theaforementioned interlocking features are not illustrated, but may beincluded in association with the remaining embodiments depicted orotherwise described herein. The aforementioned fixed position orincremental interlocking features and functionality, having beenincorporated to control a first or second position of an anchor, or toreduce or eliminate subsequent anchorage extraction after deformation ofone or more load bearing deformable members has occurred, may be adaptedto apply to the devices or systems of the FIG. 18-59 embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 18, an alternative energy management device 260 hasretainer 262, end walls 264, a moveable load bearing member 266, aconnecting member 268 and a looped anchor portion 276 disposed at theend opposite moveable member 266. Moveable member 266, connecting member268 and anchor portion 276 may be integrally formed as a singlecomponent, or be represented by any combination of integral orindividual components secured to one another, capable of performing thesame intended function. One or more load bearing deformable members 272is provided. Members 272 may be comprised of one or more continuousextendable or compressible accordion-like load bearing materials, or aplurality of components such as Bellville washers stacked in series withone another, operable to be deformed relative to the displacement of themoveable member 266 in connection with the extraction of the anchorportion 276. Retainer 262 may be cylindrical, rectangular, or have analternative geometry.

Incorporating a plurality of load bearing deformable members 272 mayenable additional design flexibility, further enhancing the functionaltunability of device 260 by incorporating combinations of members havingdifferent deformation and displacement characteristics to achieveapplication-specific load redistribution and anchor displacementperformance characteristics for a given energy management restraintanchor device. The accordion-like flexible members, or flex washers, 272are shown in an un-deformed state. A child seat attachment componentsuch as a tether hook, clip, clasp or claw like engagement mechanism 274is connected to the loop shaped anchor portion 276. The geometries,orientations and quantities of the components of device 260 may varyfrom that depicted in FIG. 18, while still achieving the desiredfunctional result.

With reference to FIG. 18, an indicator 270 is incorporated, operable tobe detected by an occupant for the purposes of indicating anchorextraction has occurred. The presence of such a visual indicator maysuggest the device 260 has been activated, indicating the energymanagement device, or a component of the device, may need to be reset,inspected or replaced. An indicator may be included to alert a user ofany of a number of possible actions that may be, or may have been, takenin the event of, or as a result of an anchorage having been extracted.Indicator 270 may be brightly colored.

Indicator 270 is contacted by surface 269 of member 267. Contact surface269 provides a reaction surface against which indicator 270 may restagainst while being displaced to exit clearance aperture 263 in retainer262 as the anchor is extracted. At least a portion of the indicator 270may remain visible from the exterior of retainer 262 after anchor 276 isretracted. The indicator may remain fixedly engaged with aperture 263 asanchor 276 retracts. Or the indicator may instead be pushed through theaperture 263 during extraction and remain attached to connecting member268, external the end wall 264 of the retainer when the anchor retracts.Member 267 may be omitted and surface 269 of member 267 may instead berepresented by a wall surface of moveable member 266. Or, member 267 maybe affixed or integral to connecting member 268, positioned elsewherealong its length to enable detection of indicator 270, afterexperiencing any predetermined, minimum amount of anchorage extraction.The location of surface 269 may be altered. The location of surface 269corresponds to the minimum amount of anchor displacement required toexpose indicator 270 to a user. Member 267 may also be affixed orintegral to, or otherwise in contact with, at least one of theindividual flexible load bearing deformable members 272 shown in thisembodiment, and ejected from the retainer as a result of correspondingdisplacement of member(s) 272. The mounting locations, orientations andgeometries of indicator 270, aperture 263, surface 267 and member 269may be altered in practical use to achieve the same functional result,to increase visibility, obviousness, likelihood of detection or toextract and/or retract in harmony with the anchor in order to indicateany of a variety of functional or post-deployment status conditionsrecognizable to the end user.

FIG. 19 illustrates the energy management device 260 of FIG. 18 with theanchor loop 276 in an extracted position and wherein one or moreaccordion-like flexible members, or flex washers, 272 are compressed asthe connecting member 268 displaces moveable member 266 in conjunctionwith the extraction of anchor 276, in the direction of the arrow. Themembers 272 may be operable to re-expand as the anchor retracts andchild seat rebounds towards the vehicle seat during rebound. The childseat is attached to the vehicle child anchor by a child seat attachmenthook, clasp, clip or claw-like mechanism 274.

FIG. 19 illustrates indicator 270 in an exposed position, visible fromthe exterior of the retainer of device 260. Also shown is another typeof alternative indicator system 275 that includes a switch or sensor277, signal 278 and indicator 280. The sensor or proximity switch 277may be located relative to the moveable member 266 for sensing adeployed condition or change in the operational state of device 260. Theswitch 277 transmits a signal 278 to an indicator 280 providing noticeof a predetermined condition. Such conditions may include, but are notlimited to, partial or total extraction of an anchor, complete orpartial retraction of an anchor, hardware or system functional readinessdetection, a need reset, inspect or replace a device or component of thedevice, etc. The indicator 280 may provide notice to one or moreoccupants by way of communication with a vehicle audio notificationsystem and/or a visual vehicle display, or be otherwise incorporatedwithin the vehicle so as to advise the driver or occupants of thefunctional or post-deployment status of device 260. It will beappreciated that the indicator system 275 could be deployed with any ofthe energy management devices or systems disclosed herein and could beelectrical or mechanical in nature.

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative energy management device 290 thatemploys one or more load bearing deformable members or energy absorptionmaterials 292, different in composition from that shown in the FIG. 18embodiment. The device 290 may include one or more return assist members294 that encapsulate at least one connecting member 296, and which mayadditionally provide a biasing action against the moveable member 298.The load bearing deformable member 292 may be comprised of any of avariety of non-recoverable energy absorption materials, or of analternative material that provides sufficient resiliency and memory toenable partial or complete recovery of its initial geometry and loadcarrying capabilities, satisfactory to meet the needs of the specificapplication at hand. Geometries of components shown may differ from thatdepicted in FIG. 20 as necessary for practical implementation.

FIG. 21 illustrates the FIG. 20 device 290 in an at least partiallydeployed position. The load bearing deformable member 292 is at leastpartially compressed and the anchor 300 has been extracted. An indicator302 is included as a visual aid to alert occupants when the device 290has been deployed. The indicator may also be exposed to alert occupantsof alternative conditions such as incomplete anchorage retraction orother functional device state conditions. For illustration purposes, theindicator 302 in FIG. 21 is represented by a flexible member that may bemade from such materials as cloth, plastic, foil, thin walled springsteel, or other suitable materials. Indicator 302 may be brightlycolored. Prior to anchorage extraction, as shown in FIG. 20, theindicator 302 may be positioned between the connecting member 296 andthe return assist member 294 along the axial length of the connectingmember 296. Indicator 302 may have an initial stowed position thatdiffers from that represented in FIG. 20, shown for illustrationpurposes.

It will be appreciated that an alternative form of visual indicator maybe used in lieu of a mechanical member extending from a device retainer,or affixed to a connecting member or anchor, proximate to device 290. Adisplay lamp may incorporated and may be disposed directly on, proximateto, or at a distance from device 290, such as within a vehicle display.Similarly, an audible notification system may be implemented proximateto the restraint device, or the switch 277 may be in communication witha vehicle notification system or display within the vehicle wherein thedriver or other occupants of the vehicle may experience an audible orvisual signal representing said indicator. In addition, both visual andaudible indicators could be used in tandem. The mounting position,length, flexibility and material composition of a mechanical indicator302 may be altered to increase rigidity, visibility, obviousness,likelihood of end user detection, or to extract and/or retract inharmony with the anchor in order to indicate any of a variety offunctional or post-deployment status conditions beneficial to the enduser. It will be appreciated that indicator 302 could be included withany of the energy management devices or systems disclosed herein.

For alternative embodiments of the device shown in FIGS. 20-21, one ormore recoverable deformable material members 292 may be utilized,further providing a biasing action against moveable member 298 incombination with anchor biasing return assist member 294. Member 292 mayprovide sufficient anchor biasing/return assist capability to permitmember 294 to be omitted from device 290. It shall also be noted thatreturn assist members 294 may be configured to reside within or externalto the retainer of device 290. Connecting member 296 need notnecessarily be encapsulated by return assist member 294. Retractioninterlocking may be incorporated or omitted in certain instances, suchas where resilient load bearing deformable members 292 may be utilized,depending on the application and desired function of device 290. Returnassist members 294 capable of storing energy may be used to replace, orto supplement the performance of, load bearing deformable member 292, ormay be utilized to assist in the expedited recovery of a resilient loadbearing deformable member 292 for embodiments depicted in FIGS. 18-21.

FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative energy management device 320 thatemploys an alternative visual indicator that may be used to indicate theanchor of device 320 has been deployed, or to identify an alternativefunctional state of device 320. The device 320 includes a retainer 322,a moveable member 324, at least one connecting member 326, an anchor 328and an indicator 330. The retainer 322 has an end wall 332 with at leastone aperture 334 providing a passageway for a corresponding connectingmember 326 to extend therethrough. An additional aperture 336 provides aclearance for the indicator 330 to pass through as anchor 328 isextracted. The indicator 330 includes an elongated portion 338, a stop340 and an interlock 342 which is operable to engage an exterior wallsurface 344 of the retainer 322.

With reference to FIG. 23, a section view 23-23 of the device of FIG. 22is shown, wherein the anchor has been deployed, the indicator 330 haspassed through aperture 336 and interlock 342 has engaged the retainerwall surface 344. The anchor 328 and movable member 324 have retracted,leaving the indicator 330 engaged with the wall of retainer 322. Themoveable member 324 and indicator 330 initially traverse in conjunctionwith one another in the direction of anchorage extraction. The indicator330 may initially rest against a flat, or recessed, surface of moveablemember 324. Indicator 330 may instead be temporarily attached tomoveable member 324 using a mild adhesive, having a break awayconnection or alternative means of maintaining a non-structuralengagement between the two components. In either case, indicator 330detaches from engagement with moveable member 324 as stop 340 andinterlock 342 become engaged with retainer end wall 332, generally atthe transition between the anchor extraction and retraction phases ofdevice operation.

A load bearing deformable member was not illustrated in the FIG. 22 orFIG. 23 embodiment to simplify the Figures, though one or more of suchmembers may be included in device 320, as previously mentioned in thediscussion of prior devices. It will also be appreciated that theindicator 330 may be configured to interfere with the anchor 328 suchthat the elongated portion 338 inhibits an end user from reattaching achild seat to an anchor that has been deployed, or to indicate serviceis required, that a device must be inspected, reset or that the deviceor components may require replacement. A configuration like this may beespecially beneficial for devices 320 having expendable deformablemembers or which require user interaction for resetting or to indicateservice/replacement is necessary. Interlock 342 is illustrated havingChristmas tree-like configuration. It will be appreciated that othergeometries may be employed. Similarly, the indicator 330 may also berepresented by alternative geometries and disposed to exit the retainerin alternative locations. For example, the indicator 330 shown may beadapted to exit retainer 322 through an aperture 336 that is offset fromthe generally centrally disposed location shown in FIGS. 22 and 23,whether biased above or below anchor 326. Or, indicator 330 may berepresented by a flat, rectangular plate-like geometry as an alternativeto the rod-like geometry shown, disposed to exit an extended mail-slotlike opening in a wall of retainer 332 in order to increase obviousnessof the indicator and/or further inhibit re-attachment of a child seat tothe vehicle anchorage once the indicator has been deployed. The lengthof the indicator may be amended. FIGS. 24 through 27 illustratenon-limiting examples of alternative visual indicators.

FIG. 24 illustrates a portion of an alternative energy management device360 having a retainer 362, a moveable load bearing member 364, a loadbearing deformable member 366, a connecting member 368, an anchorageextraction indicator 370 and an anchor 372. The retainer 362 has aclearance hole, slot or aperture 374 for receiving one end 376 of theindicator 370. The indicator 370 is shown positioned within a pocket 378that may be formed into the load bearing deformable member 366 and maybe situated on center, or offset from the longitudinal axis of member366 depicted in FIG. 24. The indicator 370 may sit within pocket 378during static conditions, and extend through the clearance aperture 374to be secured to the retainer 362 as the anchor is extracted.

With reference to FIG. 25, the anchor 372 of device 360 is shown in anextracted position, wherein end 376 of indicator 370 extends through theclearance aperture 374. It will be appreciated that the end 376 may bebrightly colored, or even illuminated, so as to apprise an occupant thatthe restraint anchor has been deployed. A contact switch (not shown)could be disposed between the load bearing deformable member 366 and theend of the retainer 322. Upon contact, a light could be illuminatedhence indicating deployment. By providing an indicator 370, the occupantmay be informed that the device has functioned and certain predeterminedend user notification criteria have been met. This may cause theoccupant to replace, reset, or otherwise inspect the device for futureuse. The geometries of indicator 370 and corresponding pocket shown indeformable member 366 may be altered for the purpose of coordinating theactivation of indicator 370, relative to a predetermined amount ofanchor displacement.

FIG. 26 illustrates a portion of an alternative energy management device390 shown in its static condition with an alternative indicator 392. Aretainer 394, a moveable member 396, a load bearing deformable member398 and an anchor 400 are shown. The indicator 392 can be positionedwithin a portion of the load bearing deformable member 398, whetherpositioned centrally, or offset from the central longitudinal axis ofthe device depicted in FIG. 26. The indicator 392 has a base 402 and acurved portion 404. A hole, slot or aperture 406 in the end wall ofretainer 394 is sufficiently large to allow the curved portion 404 ofindicator 392 to pass through when the anchor is extracted. The curvedportion 404 is spring-biased, and after passing through aperture 406,expands and flattens out to cover a greater surface area than that ofaperture 406 for increased visibility. The indicator 392 may be made ofplastic, rubber, metal or similar materials having sufficientflexibility to distort and pass through aperture 406, while exhibitingsufficient robustness and rigidity to remain engaged with the wall ofretainer 394 when deployed.

As seen in FIG. 27, the anchor 400 is shown in an extracted position.The curved portion 404 of the indicator is now flattened in an expandedstate external to retainer 394, providing a visual aid for an occupantto see. The indicator 392 remains in contact with retainer 394 whenanchor 400 is retracted.

FIG. 28 illustrates a portion of an alternative energy management device420 that includes a retainer having an end wall 426 and side walls 425,at least one load bearing moveable member 424, one or more load bearingdeformable material members 398 and an anchor 433. Anchor biasingelements or return assist members described in reference to priorfigures, may be further included in some implementations of device 420,but are not shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. The moveable member interfaceswith anchor 433 via one or more connecting members 432 extending throughthe opposing end of the retainer 422.

A magnetic interlock may be incorporated to control movement of anchor433. At least one wall or portion of a wall of retainer 422 may beelectromagnetically charged or otherwise magnetized to attract ferrousmaterials. For example, end wall 426 of retainer 422 may beelectromagnetically charged, and moveable member 424 made of ferrousmaterial. A controller may work in concert with a sensor 437 to controlthe operation of device 420, wherein sensor 437 communicates signal S₁to signal the operation, or affect the polarity, of the magneticallyactuated interlocking member 434 proximate to end wall 426. Sensor 427may be operable to detect an abrupt change in vehicle acceleration or animpact condition of sufficient magnitude to meet pre-determined dynamicdevice actuation, interlock release threshold criteria. Sensor 437 maysend a signal S₁ to controller 436 in order to reverse the polarity ofmagnet 434 and permit moveable member 424 to separate from engagementwith end wall 426 when said actuation criteria are met. Controller 436may be used to set the polarity of magnet 434 such that moveable member424 may separate from engagement with end wall 476 upon experiencinginertial loading of sufficient magnitude to overcome the magnetic forcebinding member 424 to wall 476, as an alternative to reversing thepolarity of magnet 434 to release moveable member 424. Sensor 427 maynot be required in this case. In either case, input load redistributionand corresponding anchor displacement occur when the moveable member isreleased from an interlocked position and permitted to distortdeformable member 398, wherein the rate and magnitude of the loadapplied to anchor 433 exceeds predetermined threshold criteria toinitiate distortion or displacement of member 398.

Controller 436 and sensor 437 may be used to alter polarity of magnet434 during the retraction phase of device operation as well, such thatmoveable member 424 may return to its initial position, and again bemagnetically interlocked. Sensor 437 may be operable to detect theposition of moveable member 424 as the anchor 433 is extracted orretracted. Magnet 434 may be used to further assist in drawing moveablemember 424 towards end wall 426 during the retraction phase. One or moreside walls of retainer 422 may also be electromagnetically charged inlieu of, or in combination with, electromagnetic control of end wall426. As such, moveable member 424 may be interlocked and retained in, orreleased from, one or more intermediate locations, thereby providingadditional control over anchor movement as the anchor extracts orretracts. Changes made to the polarity or magnetic strength of themagnetically actuated interlocking member 434, as the anchor extracts,may enable further tuning of device 420's energy management and anchordisplacement control capabilities. Device 420's functional capabilitiesare further controlled by the characteristics of deformable member andany anchor biasing elements.

As an alternative to sensor and controller based magnetic polaritymodification, end wall 426 and/or some portion of at least on side wall425 may be magnetized in the absence of controller 436, sensor 437and/or magnet 434. In such a configuration, the moveable member 424would simply mechanically disengage from an initial position of contactwith, or position of proximity to, end wall 426 and/or side walls 425upon experiencing inertial loading of sufficient magnitude to overcomethe predetermined magnetic force between the moveable load bearingmember 424 and one or more retainer walls. The movement of member 424may then cause distortion of deformable material 398 if the load imposedon the restraint anchor 433 is sufficient to do so. The force ofmagnetism, magnetic contact surface area and geometry of moveable member424 and retainer walls 425 and 426 may be configured to tune device 420to cause moveable member 424 to be retained in an interlocked positionin static condition, released from an interlocked position in a dynamiccondition and re-engaged with end or side walls when the anchor is againretracted to an interlocked resting position. For example, theengagement surface contact area between moveable member 424 and end wall426 may be oriented perpendicular to the direction of anchordisplacement, providing a maximum magnetic engagement force betweenthese components. The input load required to overcome the magneticbinding engagement force between moveable member 424 and end wall 426may be tuned by altering the magnetism of either member, or by orientingthe corresponding engagement surfaces at an offset angle, relative tothe direction of anchorage extraction and retraction. This isillustrated in FIG. 29 where a slanted portion 428 of end wall 426′ isshown mating with a corresponding slanted portion 430 of a moveable loadbearing member 424′. Introducing magnetization of retainer side walls425 may enable further tuning of device 420's load carrying and anchorinterlocking capabilities, as well as the rate of speed or total amountof anchor displacement permitted during extraction or retraction phases.

FIG. 29 further illustrates an alternative embodiment having theabove-mentioned angular surface contact relationship between end wall426′ and moveable member 424′. Slanted portion 430 of moveable member424′ interfaces with connecting member 432. The interlocking engagementand release of moveable member 424′ may be operated by a controller 436′in communication with sensor 437′ wherein a control signal S₁ causesmagnetic actuator 434′ to be electronically charged and discharged,thereby facilitating the interlocking retention or release of themovable member 424′.

Relative to FIGS. 28 and 29, a combination of the aforementionedelectromagnetic and mechanically magnetized engagement surfaces mayfurther enhance the flexibility of the device's functionality.

FIGS. 30 through 42A illustrate various embodiments of energy managementdevices incorporating tuned, dynamic anchor displacement and energymanagement control interlocks, wherein at least one blocking member orblocking surface is incorporated, operable to engage one or moremoveable retention members in a first static, interlocked condition.Said blocking member or surface is further operable to be disengagedfrom contact with one or more retention members when the inertial forceexerted on the device exceeds a predetermined threshold value, in asecond dynamic condition. Said retention members are operable to controldisplacement of a load bearing member, wherein said load bearing membermay be a deformable member, a moveable member, or both as applicable.Disengagement of said blocking member or blocking surface from saidretention member, under dynamic loading conditions, correspondinglyresults in the disengagement and release of said retention member froman interlocked condition with said load bearing member. A restraintanchor, operatively associated with said load bearing member, ispermitted to extract when said member is released from said interlockedposition. However, said restraint anchor will only extract from a firststatic position when the rate of application, and the magnitude, of theinput load applied to said anchor are further sufficient to initiatedistortion/displacement of one or more deformable members operativelyassociated with said anchor under said dynamic loading conditions. Theenergy management capability of the device is thereby activated and thedevice absorbs a portion of the energy that would otherwise betransferred to the seated child through the interfacing connection withthe child seat attachment feature. The aforementioned dynamic loadcondition is generally brought on by an abrupt vehicle deceleration or avehicle impact condition.

The dynamic energy management function is not enabled if the inertialloads imposed on the restraint anchor device, or the rate of applicationand magnitude of input loads imposed on the restraint anchor, are belowthe activation thresholds required to disengage the inertial interlockor to initiate distortion of the deformable member. The anchor andcorresponding moveable member are therefore prevented from displacing,and the energy management device behaves comparably to a traditional,fixed-position restraint anchor. An interlock of this nature facilitatescompliance to the FMVSS 225 requirements referred to in the summarysection. Independent first position anchor control interlocks, orretraction interlocks may also be included, as previously described. Thegeometries and function of dynamic control interlocking components maybe adapted to re-engage when an anchor is retracted for device re-use.Additional interlocks operable to control the total amount of extractionpermitted by, or the post extraction position of, an anchor are alsodiscussed in reference to FIGS. 39-48. Sensors, controllers, actuatorsand indicators may further be incorporated in the devices or systemsdiscussed in reference to FIGS. 30-48.

FIG. 30 illustrates an embodiment of an energy management restraintanchor device 440, incorporating a tuned, dynamic anchor displacementand energy management control interlock, wherein blocking mass members448 are represented by moveable masses and retention members 452 arerepresented by swing levers interfacing corresponding biasing members454 (such as springs). Device 440 further includes a retainer 442 with acentral portion 444 containing components similar in nature to thosedescribed in reference to prior embodiments depicted or describedherein. Device 440 is shown including blocking mass member retainers 446and 450, and a connecting member 456 associated with deployment assembly458. Deployment assembly 458 includes moveable load bearing member 460,interfacing at least one connecting member 456 interfacing anchor loop462. One or more anchor biasing, or return assist members 464 may beincorporated, as applicable. A member 464 may bias the moveable member460 to the position shown in FIG. 31. Member 464 may additionally serveto assist in returning the moveable member 460 and corresponding anchorloop 462 towards their initial positions upon rebound, or may supplementthe recovery of a resilient deformable material as described inreference to prior Figures. One or more load bearing deformable membersor energy absorption materials 466 are also incorporated. A child seattether hook, clip, clasp or alternative releasable engagement clip orclaw-like mechanism 468 is connected to the anchor loop 462.

FIG. 30A illustrates a cross sectional view of device 440 taken from theperspective 30A-30A of FIG. 30, wherein the blocking member 448 has aguide notch 470 located in its central portion, operable to receive andengage retention member 452 (shown in FIGS. 30, 31, 32). A guide 472 onblocking mass member retainer 446 is operable to receive a second notch471 on blocking member 448 so that member 448 may slide axially.

Relative to FIGS. 31 and 32, at least one blocking mass member isoperable to translate from a first position of engagement with retentionmembers 452, relative to retainers 446 and 450, and to become disengagedfrom contact with retention members 452 in a second condition. Blockingmember displacement may occur as a result of the inertial forces beingexerted on the device 440, sufficient to overcome the sliding frictionresistance and the transverse loads imposed on blocking member 448 byspring biased retention member 452. Blocking member 448 is shown engagedwith the retention member 452 in FIG. 31, wherein a surface 474 on theretention member 452 engages surface 476 on the movable member 460,causing the movable member 460 to be held in place under staticconditions. This interlocking arrangement secures and precludesdisplacement of movable member 460 under predetermined loadingconditions. It will be appreciated that the blocking member 448,retention member 452 and biasing member 454 may be employed in only asingle location on the device 440 as an alternative to the symmetricallydisposed pair of blocking, retention and biasing members depicted inFIGS. 30-32.

Alternatively, the position of a blocking member 448 or retention member452 may be electronically controlled. FIG. 31 further illustrates amodification to the system 440 that could employ a sensor S, acontroller C, and an actuator. In this embodiment, the actuator isrepresented by a magnet M in association with the blocking memberretainer 442 (also applicable to retainer 446). The sensor S may operateto sense an abrupt change in acceleration or a vehicle impact conditionand generate a signal S₁. Signal S₁ is transmitted to a control device Cto trigger the function of an actuator, such as a magnet, electromagnetor some other device M imparting a charge, or otherwise capable ofeither affecting the position of the intermediate blocking member 448,or directly affecting the position of retention member 452, whereinblocking member 448 is absent from said device. For example, anelectromagnetic charge applied to the wall of retainer 446 may beoperable to propel blocking member 448 out of engagement with retentionmember 452 in order to release the moveable load bearing member 460 froman interlocked position. If member 448 is omitted from device 440,actuator M may instead directly propel retention member 452 to engagemoveable load bearing member 460 in a first condition. A signaled changein magnetism or polarity of a magnetic actuator may permit the biasingspring force of member 454 to disengage member 452 from member 460. Inall cases, retention member 452 is ultimately permitted to rotate freefrom a position of engagement with moveable member 460 (as shown in FIG.32), thereby enabling displacement of movable member 460, permittinganchorage displacement and corresponding deformation of energyabsorption material 466. In order to return retention member 452 to aposition of engagement with moveable member 460 (shown in FIG. 31),during the retraction phase of operation, the polarity of magnet M, forexample, may be reversed, thus propelling the retention member 452 to aninterlocked position, allowing it to secure the movable member 452 inplace. Further, sensor S may be utilized to detect the position ofmoveable member 460 in order to facilitate timely engagement ofretention member 452 with moveable member 460 during rebound or tosignal an indicator. A device 440 which does not incorporate a sensor,controller and actuator operable to enhance an anchor retractioninterlocking capability, may further incorporate retraction interlockingmechanisms of the sort previously described in reference to earlierfigures in addition to the inertial interlock described herein.

It should be noted that energy management anchorage devices of thenature described in FIGS. 30-32 might also incorporate one or moremagnets as an alternative to blocking and retention members depicted, asopposed to incorporating magnetism to control the blocking and retentionmembers. The magnets may be tuned in size strength and orientation tofacilitate inertial disengagement. The magnitude and direction of theapplied magnetic engagement force may be varied relative to apredetermined rate and magnitude of inertial force that must be overcometo disengage a retained member. For example, the device may be adaptedto incorporate a simple ball and tube representing blocking member 448and retainer portion 446, wherein either the ball or an end of the tubelike retainer portion are magnetized. Retention member 452 would have acompatible geometry to sufficiently engage ball shaped blocking member448. The tube-like portion representing retainer portion 446 would havean opening for retention member 452 to pass through and engage ballshaped blocking member 448. A sufficient inertial force imposed ondevice 440 would overcome the magnetic and frictional contact forcesbetween said ball, said retainer portion and said retention member topermit the ball to become disassociated with the retention member andpermit release of moveable member 460 and corresponding anchordisplacement, as applicable.

Magnets may be positioned to disengage a retained member when loading isapplied perpendicular to the magnetic surface or such that a componentof the disengagement loading is in shear.

FIG. 32 illustrates the anchor of device or system 440 in a deployedcondition, wherein the dynamic, inertial forces exerted on the devicehave met predetermined dynamic device actuation, interlock releasethreshold criteria and blocking members 448 have translated in thedirection of the arrow shown, overcoming frictional surface contactforces and the transverse loading applied by retention members 452engaged with biasing members 454. Members 448 are therefore showndisengaged from contact with retention member 452. The biasing members454 have assisted in rotating retention members 452 to fully disengagefrom interlocking contact with the moveable load bearing member 460. Theload bearing deformable member 466 is then permitted to bedisplaced/distorted by moveable member 460, if the rate and magnitude ofinput loads applied to the interfacing restraint anchor are sufficientto initiate said displacement/distortion while the interlock isdisengaged. Dynamic restraint energy is absorbed as the moveable member,interfacing said restraint anchor connected to a child seat, isdisplaced to distort deformable member 460 in conjunction with themovement of the child seat within the vehicle. Under quasi-staticloading conditions such as those defined in FMVSS 225, blocking member448 remains stationary and retention member 452 remains engaged withmoveable member 460 to preclude displacement of anchor 462 andcorresponding deformation of energy absorption material 466 intendedonly to occur under dynamic loading conditions. As has been described inreference to the various aforementioned embodiments, the geometries,orientations and quantities of the components comprising energymanagement anchorage device or system 440 may be varied to achieve thefunctional and packaging needs for a given application, while offeringthe same performance capabilities already having been described. Forexample, a block-shaped blocking mass that translates relative to aretainer wall could be replaced with a ball in tube, wherein said ismagnetically retained to an end of said tube, said ball translates orrotates, disengaging the magnetic retention force under inertialconditions. Displacement of said ball may directly permit release of aretention member, triggers an electronically controlled actuator,electromagnet or the like, for the purposes of controlling anchordisplacement, distortion of energy management material and energyredistribution.

FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate an alternate embodiment of an energymanagement device or system 500 that employs a tuned, dynamic anchordisplacement and energy management control interlock, wherein a blockingmass member 506 is represented by a slide plate and a retention member508 is represented by a displaceable plate-like locking wedge thatengages a spring 510 for biasing the retention member. Device 500further includes a retainer 502, side walls 504, a moveable load bearingmember 512, at least one load bearing deformable member 514, an anchor518, at least one connecting member 520, and may include one or morereturn assist members 516. A down turned portion 524 at an end of theconnecting member 520 initially rests between a wall 526 of retainer 502and retention member 508. Down-turned portion 524 and the portion ofmember 520 extending from moveable member 512 towards retainer wall 502may instead be represented by a similar protruding geometry that isintegral to member 512, or an aperture in member 512, capable of beingengaged and retained by retention member 508. The anchor 518 is shown aslooped-shaped. The retention member 508 has a lower portion 528 that isoperable to engage the spring-like member 510 in a recessed area 530 ofthe base 532 of the retainer 502. The blocking member 506 includes aweighted portion 534 and blocking member contact surface 536 thatengages guide surface 538 within the retainer 502. This allows theblocking member 506 to translate within the retainer 502. The blockingmember 506 includes a retention member contact surface portion 540(depicted as an offset surface in this embodiment) that engages theupper surface 542 of the retention member 508.

FIG. 34 depicts the retention member 508 secured in position, bound bycontact surface 540 of blocking member 506, and wherein the lowerportion 528 is contained within the recessed area 530 of the retainer502. While the anchor 518 is depicted as incorporating, or beingattached to, a pair of elongated connecting member portions 520 thatextend through the moveable member 512, any combination of distinctlyseparate or wholly integral components may be achievable. Suchcombinations may include alternative geometries that incorporate thefeatures of anchor 518, connecting member(s) 520, moveable member 512and down turned portion 524 in a single manufactured component, as analternative to attaching a plurality of independent components whileachieving the same functional result. Blocking member 506 mayincorporate extended tabs representing contact surface 536 that arereceived within a slot, groove or notch shaped guide surface 538 of theretainer 502 as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34.

Alternatively, the geometry of the blocking member contact surfaces andretainer guide surfaces may be varied and still provide the samefunction. For example, the grooved guide surface 538 may instead berepresented by a plurality of v-shaped detents (not shown) extendinginward from multiple interior wall surfaces of retainer 502. Suchdetents would be operable to provide surface contact points that engageand provide a guide path for the planar surface of blocking member 508to move within, replacing the extended tab-like contact surfaces 536 andgroove 538 shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. Also, in alternative embodiments,the blocking member 506 may be configured to provide the same functionby directly engaging a retention member 508 without incorporating anoffset portion.

Blocking member 506 is operable to translate in the direction of thearrow shown when the dynamic, inertial forces exerted on the device 500are sufficient to have met predetermined dynamic device actuation,interlock release threshold criteria. Under these conditions, retentionmember contact portion 540 correspondingly translates and disengages theupper portion 542 of the retention member 508, overcoming any frictionalforces between contact surfaces 540 and 542, 536 and 538, between thelower portion of retention member 508 and the pocketed wall surfaces ofrecessed area 530, and any transverse loading forces applied betweencontact surface 540 and 542 as a result of spring member 510 biasingretention member 508 against blocking member 506. An offset mass, orweighted portion 534 of blocking member 506 is further shown, operableto facilitate the translation of the blocking member 506 relative toguide surface 538 when the device is inertially loaded. Spring biasingmember 510 propels retention member 508 from engagement with recess 530when member 508 is disengaged from blocking member 506, permitting thedisplacement of down-turned portion 524 of connecting member 520,operatively associated with load bearing moveable member 512, therebyenabling the corresponding extraction of interfacing anchor 518.Moveable member 512, interfacing the connecting member 520, is onlypermitted to distort load bearing deformable member 514 for the purposeof absorbing restraint energy if the rate of application and themagnitude of the load applied to the interfacing anchor 518, connectedto child tether hook, clip, clasp or claw-like engagement mechanism 522,exceeds predetermined threshold criteria to initiate distortion ordisplacement of deformable member 514. The amount of anchor extractioncorresponds to the amount of distortion and/or displacement ofdeformable member. It should be noted that the retainer 502 and device500's components, geometries, quantities, and configurations may bealternatively represented by components or configurations similar innature to those described in prior embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 35 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an energy managementsystem 550 that employs a tuned, dynamic anchor displacement and energymanagement control interlock, wherein at least one blocking mass member552 is represented by a rotating offset mass member and at least onecorresponding retention member 554 is represented by a sliding blockmass. Device 550 further includes a deployment assembly 556. Thedeployment assembly 556 includes a retainer 558, a moveable member 560that interfaces with one or more connecting members 562 that interfacedirectly with anchor loop 564. One or more return assist members 566 maybe incorporated as applicable, to bias the moveable member 560 to theposition shown in FIG. 35. Member 566 may additionally serve to assistin returning the moveable member 560 and corresponding anchor loop 564towards their initial positions upon rebound, or to supplement therecovery of a resilient deformable material as described in reference toprior Figures. One or more load bearing deformable members or energyabsorption materials 568 are also incorporated. A child seat tetherhook, clip, clasp or alternative releasable engagement clip or claw-likemechanism 570 is connected to the anchor loop 564.

FIG. 35 illustrates the device in a dynamically inactive state—as wouldbe represented during typical driving conditions wherein the retentionmember 554 is disengaged and disposed a small distance from the blockingmember 552. The blocking member 552 has a pivot point 572, a spring 574,for biasing the blocking member 552, and an engagement surface 576 thatis operable to engage the retention member 554. Engagement surface 576is depicted as a notch or depression in the blocking member 552 forpurposes of this illustration. The retention member 554 may contactsurface 576. Contact surface 578 may be represented by a local retainerencapsulating retention member 554 and/or blocking member 552 and spring574, or may be configured to encapsulate the device 556, blocking member552, and retention member 554 and spring 574 so that they are mountedcollectively.

FIG. 36 illustrates a static test environment condition wherein a loadis applied to the anchor 564 in a non-dynamic, quasi-static manner. Inthis operating condition, anchor 564 is incapable of substantialextraction. Distortion of load bearing deformable member 568 isinhibited as the mobility of moveable member 560 is restricted.Connecting member 580 is attached, or integral to, either or both themoveable member 560 and retention member 554. Anchor 564 interfaces withconnecting member 562, moveable member 560, connecting member 580 andretention member 554. The negligible initial extraction of anchor 564 issubstantially limited, being essentially immediately halted when themotion of the retention member 554 is abruptly terminated as a result ofengagement between retention member 554 and contact surface 576 ofblocking member 552. The slow rate of quasi-static loading applied toanchor 564 is insufficient to cause the inertial rotation of blockingmember 552 that would be necessary to overcome the biasing spring forceof spring 574 to allow retention member 554 to pass by blocking member552 and permit extraction of anchor 564, and corresponding distortion ofload bearing deformable member 568. The dynamic device control interlocktherefore remains engaged. The amount of anchorage extraction permittedprior to the engagement of retention member 554 with contact surface 576is exaggerated in FIG. 36 for illustration purposes. The relativegeometric proportions of blocking member 552, retention member 554 andretainer 558 are also exaggerated for illustration purposes. Bypreventing displacement of the anchor to satisfy static testingrequirements, the anchor 564 of device 550 is adapted to performsimilarly to that of a simple conventional fixed position anchor, as iscurrently known in the art, for purposes of compliance to aforementionedstatic testing requirements. The initial real world anchorage extractionfor a device of this nature, operating in a static test environment,would be negligible compared to the displacement and/or deformationmeasured for the resultant fixed anchor equivalent device over thebalance of a static test.

Offset mass blocking member 552 is operable to rotate counter-clockwiseabout pivot point 572, (from the perspective shown in FIG. 37)overcoming the biasing force of spring 574 when the dynamic, inertialforces exerted on the device 550 are sufficient to have metpredetermined dynamic device actuation, interlock release thresholdcriteria. Under these conditions, the rotational displacement of theblocking member 552 allows retention member 554 to bypass blockingmember 552 without obstruction, permitting displacement of theinterfacing moveable load bearing member 560, thereby enabling thecorresponding extraction of interfacing anchor 564. Moveable member 560,interfacing the connecting member 562, is only permitted to distort loadbearing deformable member 568 for the purpose of absorbing restraintenergy if the rate of application and the magnitude of the load appliedto the interfacing anchor 564, connected to child seat tether hook,clip, clasp or claw-like engagement mechanism 570, exceeds predeterminedthreshold criteria to initiate displacement or distortion of deformablemember 568. The amount of anchor extraction corresponds to the amount ofdistortion and/or displacement of deformable member.

FIG. 38 illustrates the anchor 564, and interfacing retention member554, having been substantially extracted. Deformable material 568 hasalso been distorted by the moveable load bearing member 560 to absorbenergy as the anchor is extracted. Connecting members 562 and 580 mayeach be represented by a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible member such as arod, cable or alternative load carrying member. Connecting members 562and 580, anchor 564, moveable member 560 and retention member 554 may berepresented by independent components secured to one another throughconventional means such as straps, welds, fasteners, etc. or anycombination of these components may be consolidated and/or formed incombination with one another to reduce independent part count orincrease the efficiency of device operation. It should be further notedthat the retainer 558 and device 550's component geometries, quantities,and configurations may be alternatively represented by functionalcomponents or configurations similar in nature to those described inother embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 39 illustrates an energy management anchorage device 590 thatemploys one or more load bearing deformable material members that maydistort, elongate and translate by uncoiling relative to a generallycylindrically shaped load bearing portion of a retainer, in order toabsorb energy as the anchor is extracted. The device 590 includes aretainer 591 having at least one wall 592 and a load bearing member 600,securable to wall 592 and relative to which one or more load bearingdeformable material members 604 and an associated anchor portion 606 ofdevice 590 may be displaced. A guide 597 is shown. Guide 597 may beoperable to facilitate maintenance of an initial position of deformablemember 604 and anchor 606 or provide a guide path for anchor extraction.Guide 597 may be attached to retainer 591 or integral to a retainerwall, as shown. Retainer load bearing member 600 is generallynon-deformable and may maintain a fixed or moveable position relative toretainer wall 592. FIG. 39 depicts an embodiment in which the positionof member 600 is fixed. Member 600 may also be configured to bemoveable. The load bearing member 600 is shown having a spool, hub ormandrel shaped geometry, and wall 592 is represented by a base wallportion, in FIG. 39. At least one deformable member 604 is wrappedaround the load bearing retainer member 600. Load bearing deformablemember 604 is represented by an elongated loop-shaped energy absorptionmaterial. Member 604 is operable to absorb energy when distorted inconjunction with displacement of anchor portion 606. Member 604 iscomprised of a material suitable to provide sufficient consistency indisplacement or deformation so as to manage the predetermined static anddynamic load conditions. Member 604 may be derived from an alloy,composite or other material, as appropriate to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Anchor portion 606 is operable to receive a child seattether hook, clip, clasp, claw-like mechanism (not shown). FIGS. 39-42 adepict devices 590, 620 and 626 having an anchor portion 606 interfacinga load bearing deformable material member 604, wherein the deformablemember includes an anchor end portion 606 that is integral to deformablemember 604. Anchor end 606 may be alternatively represented by aseparate anchor 606 affixed directly to load bearing deformable materialmember 604. Anchor 606 may also be secured to, or integrally interfaceintermediate connecting members that directly engage deformable member604, as described in reference to earlier figures. The aforementionedconnecting members are integrally represented in FIGS. 39-42 a by thelinear portion of the deformable member that is disposed between anchorend 606 and the approximate point of departure from engagement with loadbearing member 600.

Device 590 may further include an interlocking retention member 594,having an offset, biased mass portion 595. Member 594 is pivotallyconnected 596 to retainer wall 592. Device 590 may also include aspring-like member 598 for biasing the retention member 594, and ablocking member interlocking engagement surface 602 disposed relative toload bearing member 600 for engaging retention member 594. Retentionmember 594 is depicted as an articulating lever for this embodiment.Blocking member engagement surface 602 may alternatively be representedby a ledge, standoff, protrusion, pocket, aperture or similar engagementsurface located directly on an external wall surface of the load bearingmember 600 portion of retainer 591. One or more surfaces 602, pivots 596and members 594 may alternatively be mounted adjacent an external sidewall of load bearing member 600 of retainer 591. While not shown,retention member 594 may be represented by a sliding mass 594 as analternative to a pivotal retention member 594, still operable to engagea blocking member engagement surface 602, wherein said mass 594 would bedisposed relative said wall 592 and wherein wall 592 would incorporate araised sliding surface to accommodate sliding mass 594, proximate toengagement surface 602.

FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate the dynamic conditions in which the device590 operates. Upon device 590 experiencing an imparted load ofsufficient magnitude and rate of application to cause retention member594 to rotate about pivot 596, the spring biased retention member force598 and the frictional forces present between blocking member engagementsurface 602 and retention member engagement surface 609 are overcome.Retention member engagement surface 609 is disposed on an engagementmember portion 608 of retention member 594. For illustration purposes,portion 608 is depicted having a hook shaped or claw-like geometry. Therelative geometry and position of the biased, offset mass portion 595 ofretention member 594 are adapted to facilitate the rotation of theretention member about pivot 596 when the aforementioned abrupt inertialloads are imparted on device 590 or anchor 606. Retention memberengagement surface 609 is then disengaged from blocking memberengagement surface 602, enabling load bearing deformable member 604 todistort, elongate and be displaced by rotating about non-deformable loadbearing member 600, generally straightening member 604 as the anchor end606 is extracted, if sufficient input loads are imparted on anchor 606to initiate said distortion and displacement. The rotation of deformablematerial 604 and displacement of end 614, relative to a fixed positionmember 600, is terminated as contact is made between end 614 and aninterlocking stop 615. Stop 615 may be disposed on non-deformable loadbearing member 600, on wall 592 of retainer 591, or may extend betweenmember 600 and wall 592. Stop 615 may be represented by a stud, block,beam or similar component affixed to either member 600 or wall 592. Theinterlocking stop 615 may further function to directly secure member 600to wall 592, thereby considered a component of retainer 591 joining loadbearing member 600 with retainer wall 592 in assembly. Stop 615 may alsobe represented by a geometry integral to either or both of member 600and wall 592, such as an extruded catch portion, stand-off, exteriorledge or similar feature operable to engage, interlock with, and controlthe movement of load bearing deformable material 604 and thecorresponding displacement of anchor end 606. End 614 of load bearingdeformable member 604 incorporates a geometry suitable to interlockwith, or be restrained by, stop 615 in order to discontinue anchordisplacement. Retainer 591 is secured to a structural component of thevehicle interior. A member 604 may distort and become displaced byunwinding relative to a member 600 having a fixed position (as shown),or in conjunction with the rotation of a moveable member 600 having apivotal axis (not shown), wherein member 604 is fixedly secured tomember 600 at end 614. In such a configuration, the rotation ofdeformable material 604 and displacement of end 614 may be terminated ascontact is made between an interlocking stop 615 and a blockingengagement surface disposed on end 614 or elsewhere along the length ofmember 604, or on an exterior surface of moveable load bearing member600 to which deformable member 604 is attached. In some instances, saidblocking surface may be represented by the same surface 602 initiallyengaged with retention member 594. The interlocking stop componentrelationship may be employed in devices 590, 620 and 626 in combinationwith a dynamic release interlock. An interlocking stop relationship maybe incorporated in said devices wherein the components of a dynamicrelease interlock represented by retention member 594, pivot 596,blocking member engagement surface 602 are not included a particularimplementation.

The device 590 is preferably constructed from any combination componentsmade of metal, composite or having alternative material compositionsexhibiting sufficient functional properties capable of carrying load andpermitting adequate tension, extension or related deformation. Further,one or more load bearing deformable members having various energymanagement or geometric properties may be incorporated into device 590,to work in concert with one another and operable to be deformed relativeto said load bearing member 600 in order to achieve any of a pluralityof functional load redistribution and anchorage displacement performancecapabilities. Load bearing deformable members 604 may be adapted to berepresented by other than a continuous loop (such as a discontinuousmember), by a cross section that is other than rod-like, or otherwisevaried in geometry while still performing the same intended function.Additionally, the load bearing deformable members may be configured toinclude resilient memory capability in order to enable partial orcomplete recovery of initial geometry and load carrying capabilitiesafter having been extracted. Load bearing deformable members may beconfigured to provide non-recoverable energy managementfunctionality/expendable one-time use or limited reusability, in whichcase interlocking features (not shown) would be incorporated to fix theposition of the anchor upon retraction. Further, as mentioned inreference to various prior embodiments, return assist features (notshown) may be incorporated in order to bias the load bearing deformablemember 604 to the position shown in FIG. 39 and may additionally serveto assist in returning the moveable deformable member 604 andcorresponding anchor 606 toward their initial positions upon rebound, orto supplement the recovery of a resilient deformable material aspreviously described in reference to prior Figures.

In the case of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 39-41, the return assistmember may take the form of a coil spring (not shown) disposed within,or in close proximity to the load bearing member or hub 600. An offset,or centrally disposed, rotation axis may be introduced in the axialdirection of member 600 to facilitate functionality of this nature. Therecoiling of member 600 may be adapted to facilitate retraction ofanchor 606 and deformable member 604. The relative sizes and geometriesof the hook shaped portion of retention member 594, engagement surface608 and offset mass portion 595 may be altered to achieve the desiredperformance. The geometries shown in FIGS. 39-41 are provided forillustration purposes only. For example, the geometry and position ofbiased, offset mass portion 595 of retention member 594 may be alteredin tune the device to operate under a variety of inertial activationload conditions. Device 590 may also be adapted to permit load bearingdeformable member 604 to elongate or to be displaced by fixedly rotatingin connection with a non-deformable moveable load bearing member 600(rather than relative to a fixed position load bearing member) having acentrally disposed, or an off-axis pin or axle passing through themember 600 in a generally axial direction that is generally transverseto the direction of anchorage extraction. Device 590 may be furtheradapted to incorporate an indicator, a sensor, controller, mechanicalmagnet or electromagnetic for the purposes of occupant detection, orincreasing the flexibility of device function, as described in referenceto prior figures included herein.

FIG. 42 illustrates an alternative energy management device 620 thatemploys many features similar to those discussed in reference to theFIGS. 39-41 embodiment above, and operates in the same manner.Therefore, common references will be employed where possible. Device 620includes a retainer 591, having at least one wall 592 and a generallynon-deformable, fixed-position load bearing member 600 securable to saidwall 592 and relative to which one or more elongated load bearingdeformable material members 604, and an anchor 606 may be displaced. Aguide 597 and a retention member 594 are also shown. Retention memberengagement surface 609, located on the engagement member portion 608 ofretention member 594, engages directly with surface 622 disposed on end614 of load bearing deformable member 604. This simplified directengagement relationship represents the fundamental difference betweendevice or system 590 and 620. As device 620 functions dynamically, theretention member 594 rotates towards anchor end 606, thus releasing theretention member engagement surface 609 from blocking engagement withsurface 622 at end 614 of load bearing deformable member 604. The loadbearing deformable member 604 is then free to be extracted according tothe methodologies discussed in reference to the FIG. 39-41 embodiments.The balance of functional device component relationships, functionalcapabilities and various adaptations described in reference to device590 are also applicable to device 620.

With reference to FIG. 42 a, an alternative energy management device 626is illustrated, being similar in structure to that disclosed in theFIGS. 39-42 embodiments. Common figure item number references will beemployed. As an alternative to incorporating one or more fixed geometryload bearing deformable members, load bearing deformable material member604 is shown having an altered geometry over portion 628, wrapped aroundthe generally non-deformable hub, spool or mandrel shaped load bearingmember 600. Member 600 is shown having fixed position, but may beadapted for rotation as previously discussed. By providing for variablecross sectional geometry of the load bearing deformable material 604,the performance characteristics of the deformable member can be adaptedto substantially alter the performance of device 626. The cross sectionmay be represented by other than constant round, square or rectangularshapes. The cross sectional area of the deformable member 604 may bemodified by altering the length L, width W or height H of member 604,The direction of material geometry alteration is defined by the arrowsshown in FIG. 42 a. In the present illustration, the cross sectionalthickness of the deformable material has been increased in the W and Hdirections within portion 628, transitioning to a round bar geometryalong its length L as it wraps around the generally non-deformable loadbearing member 600. The transition may be gradual or the cross sectionalgeometry may change abruptly. It will be appreciated that variousgeometric configurations of the deformable material 604 arecontemplated. One or more variable geometry load bearing deformablemembers may be adapted for use in device 626.

Incorporating a plurality of cross sectional areas in load bearingdeformable member 604, along its length L, enhances the functionalflexibility of the energy management restraint anchor device. Thegeometry of the cross sectional area of deformable member 604 maytransition abruptly, or gradually, from one geometric shape to anotherto achieve certain load carrying and displacement performancecharacteristics. For example, a cross section may be continuouslyvariable over a predetermined length of a portion 628, where the crosssectional area may increase or decrease steadily, or intermittently. Aseries of discrete, differentiable geometries, having constant orvariable cross sectional areas may be employed in a stepwise fashionalong length L. A wide variety of energy management characterizationprofiles may therefore be derived for a given anchorage device, orcombination of anchor or devices, including progressive, digressive,multi-level and variable rise rate load limiting that may be achievedover a variety of predetermined anchorage displacement values, therebyenabling customized load carrying and load redistributioncharacteristics for various occupant sizes or occupant loadingconditions. The balance of functional device component relationships,functional capabilities and various adaptations described in referenceto devices 590 and 620 are also applicable to device 626.

FIG. 43 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative energymanagement device 630 which includes a retainer 631 having at least onewall 632, and a generally non-deformable, moveable load bearing member634 that is securable to upwardly extending side walls or arms 642extending from a retainer base wall 632 of retainer 631. Also shown area retention member 636, a spring 638 for biasing the retention member, adeformable member 640 represented by a spring, for biasing the moveableload bearing member 634, a connecting member 644 and associated anchor646. Blocking members 633, blocking member engagement surfaces 635, aretention member engagement surface 637 and biased offset mass 639disposed on retention member 636 are further depicted. The retentionmember 636 is pivotally connected to retainer base wall 632 at a pivot648. Connecting member 644 is operable to wrap around a perimeter of thehub 634 and to be recoiled thereon. One or more blocking and retentionmember relationships may be employed as shown. Said relationships mayinstead be disposed adjacent to a side wall of member 634, as discussedin reference to Device 590. One or more connecting members 644 may beemployed, whether integrally or separately engaging anchor 646. A guide645 and guide sleeve 647 are shown. Guide sleeve 647 may be operable tofacilitate maintenance of an initial position of anchor 646 or toprovide a guide path for one or more connecting members to transitionthrough, and a cavity for a retracted anchor to rest within. Guide 645is further operable to provide a guide path for one or more connectingmembers to travel within when the anchor is extracted and retracted.Guide 645 and sleeve 647 may be attached to retainer wall 632 or may beotherwise integral to retainer 631.

With reference to FIG. 44, the connecting member 644 is connected by apin, screw, stud, rivet or equivalent mounting feature 650 to theperiphery of moveable load bearing member 634. The outer wall surface ofthe member 634 has a protrusion 652 that receives one end of thedeformable member 640. The other end of the member 640 engages theupwardly extending portion of the side wall or arm 642 to provide abiasing force against the moveable load bearing member 634. Load bearingmember 634 is biased in the direction of the arrow thus causing theconnecting member 644 to be maintained in a coiled position, wrappedaround the periphery of the member 634, during static conditions.

Device 630 generally performs the same as devices 590, 620 and 626. Adynamic inertial activation force imposed on anchor 646 or device 630causes offset mass 639 to facilitate the rotation of retention member636, disengaging retention member contact surface 637 from contact withblocking member engagement surface 635, said force sufficient toovercome frictional surface contact resistance and the resistance ofspring 638. This sequence of events permits anchor 626 to extract if theload imposed on the anchor when the interlock is disengaged issufficient to distort the deformable member, thereby uncoilingconnecting member 644 as load bearing member 634 rotates. Notabledifferences between device 630 and devices 590, 620 and 626 are thatindependent connecting members 644 are shown attached to an anchor 646rather than an elongated load bearing deformable member. The moveableload bearing member 634 rotates as the anchor 646 extracts in oppositionto the force of load bearing deformable member 640. Deformable member640 is engaged with both the rotating moveable load bearing member 634and the fixed position, side walls or upwardly extending arms 642extending from base wall 632 of retainer 631. Load bearing deformablemember 640 may act as a resilient load bearing deformable memberassisting in the return of anchor 646 towards its initial pre-deployedposition.

Alternatively, load bearing deformable member 640 may be configured todeform permanently such that the retraction of the anchor is notfacilitated by deformable member 640, if an alternative rate of naturalretraction or supplemented anchorage retraction are desired. A separatereturn assist member (not shown) may be incorporated to aid in theretraction of anchor 646 and re-spooling of connecting member 644 aboutthe moveable load bearing member 634. Deformable member 640 may also beadapted to apply to preload anchor 646, opposite the direction ofanchorage extraction. Connecting member 644 may be represented by acable or alternative material suitable to carry the loads applied andpermit deflection necessary to be displaced relative to member 634. Theplurality of blocking engagement surfaces 635 shown may facilitatevariable position, retraction interlocking relative to retention member636, when member 634 recoils during rebound to prevent subsequent anchorextraction until predetermined conditions are met. Many of thefunctional device component relationships, functional capabilities andvarious adaptations relative to interlocks, indicators, sensors,controllers and other aspects described in reference to devices 590, 620and 626 may be implemented in association with device 630, asapplicable. The dynamic interlocking retention and blocking memberengagement components may be omitted from device 630 in certainapplications.

FIG. 45 illustrates an alternative device 660 that includes a retainer673 having at least one base wall 662, and a generally non-deformable,moveable load bearing member 664. Member 664 is securable to upwardlyextending side walls or arms 676 that extend from wall 662 of retainer673. At least one rotating load bearing deformable member 666 isconnected to moveable load bearing member 664. At least one arm 676 hasan opening 678 for receiving at one end of member 666. Also provided area torsion spring 668 and at least one connecting member 670 to which ananchor 672 may be attached or integral with. Deformable member 666 isrepresented in FIG. 45 by a torsion bar-like member. An end 680 ofdeformable member 666 is fixed to one extension arm. FIG. 45 illustratesend 680 fixed to arm 676 by passing through a keyed opening matching thegeometry of end 680. The end 680 may also be affixed to side wall or arm676 in an alternative manner, such as by way of fastener, welding, orother mechanical engagement. The opposing end of member 666 is containedand allowed to freely rotate relative to a geometrically compatibleopening 679 disposed on end 682 of the opposing arm extending from wall662. Thus, the fixedly attached relationship between end 680, arm 676and load bearing member 664 prevents uninhibited, free rotation ofmember 664. Deformable member 666 is attached at some point along itslength to moveable load bearing member 664. The point of attachment isnot shown, but may vary along the length of member 666 in order toadjust performance characteristics. The base wall 662 has a guidechannel portion 674 that encapsulates at least some portion ofconnecting members 670 and may further contain at least some portion ofanchor 672. A guide sleeve 647 is further shown. The sleeve may beattached and perform the same functions in a manner similar to thatdescribed in reference to the FIG. 43 device.

End 686 of connecting member 670 is secured to the outer periphery ofmoveable load bearing member 664 by way of a stop 684. Stop 684 may beintegral to the moveable member 664 or affixed to it. Stop 684 may berepresented by a fastener, rivet, weld joint or comparable interfacingretention member, or may be represented by a feature such as aprotrusion or block to which the connecting member may be secured asshown in FIG. 45. Connecting member 670 is shown engaged with stop 684,extending in a counter-clockwise direction around the periphery of theload bearing member 664, where it is then received within the guidechannel 674. Connecting member 670 further interfaces with anchor 672.One end of spring 668 engages end portion 682 of arm 676 while the otherend engages the outer side wall of the moveable load bearing member 664.While not shown, an inertial release or interlock mechanism of the typedescribed in reference to FIGS. 39-43 may be incorporated.

When anchor 672 experiences loading of sufficient magnitude to initiatedistortion of load bearing deformable member 666, the anchor may beginto extract as the deformable member manages the energy transferred bythe anchor, through engagement between the hub 664 and connecting member672. The spring 668 may provide an additional biasing force to furthercontrol the extraction of the anchor 672 when device 660 is activated.The motion of the anchor 672 is controlled by the rotational distortionof member 666. The initial position of the anchor relative to loadbearing moveable member 664 is maintained in an interlocked positionrelative to the engagement between member 666 and retainer baseextension arm 676. The position of final position of the member 664 maybe interlocked due to permanent deformation of member 666. Stop 684 maybe configured to engage a surface or feature of the retainer 662 inorder to terminate the rotation of members 666 and 664, as described inreference to an alternative execution of the FIG. 39 device. Such ananchor extraction control may be achieved as a result of a stationarymember of retainer 673 simply blocking the movement of the moveable loadbearing member 664 or by member 664 penetrating and more permanentlyengaging feature on retainer base wall 662. Any such anchor displacementlimitations imposed on the anchor may be described as interlocking andcontrolling. Spring 668 may also be adapted to apply a preload to member664 or to facilitate the retraction of anchor 672 towards its initialposition during rebound. End 680 of member deformable member 666 andaperture 678 in extension arm 676 may be adapted to maintain fixedengagement between components during anchor extraction and to furtherpermit member 666 to be retained but free to rotate in a reversedirection relative to aperture 678 during retraction. This relationshippermits permanent deformation of deformable member while allowingretraction of load bearing member 664 and the corresponding anchor. Itwill be appreciated that the spring 668 can be utilized with this device660, or excluded such that the load bearing deformable member is solelyoperable resist extraction of the anchor 672.

Connecting member 670 may be represented by a cable or alternativematerial suitable to carry the loads applied and permit deflectionnecessary to be displaced relative to hub 664. The geometry ofconnecting member 670 may be altered in practical application. Forexample, the connecting member may be represented by a discontinuousloop or a single linear length as shown in device 630 of FIG. 43, havean alternative cross section, or be otherwise adapted to achieve itsintended function. It will be appreciated that various geometricconfigurations of the load bearing deformable member 666 are alsocontemplated, wherein the load required to initiate extraction of theanchor, the rate of extraction, the energy managed and the totalcorresponding displacement of the anchor can be controlled by changingof the load bearing deformable members shape, mounting orientation, orpoint of attachment with moveable load bearing member 664. A pluralityof deformable members may also be incorporated in parallel or in seriesto further customize the functional capabilities of device 660, toachieve such benefits as previously described in reference to device626. Load bearing deformable members may be disposed on a central axisof load bearing member 664 or off axis to further achieve alternativeperformance. Various other adaptations relative to interlocks,indicators, sensors, controllers and other aspects described inreference to other embodiments described herein may also be applicableto further enhance the range of function of device 660.

FIG. 46 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative energymanagement device 690 that employs a retainer 691 having a base wall692, and a generally non-deformable moveable load bearing member 694.Device 690 also includes at least one connecting member 696 and ananchor 698. Member 694 includes at least one outer surface or side wallthat is operable to function as a load bearing deformable member 700,having a tapered slot 702 that extends adjacent to the periphery of themember 700. Base wall 692 has a pair of upwardly extending side walls orarms 704, at least one of which has a tab 706 extending perpendicularfrom the member 704, towards load bearing moveable member 694. Tab 706is operable to engage slot 702. In its initial position, tab 706 fitswithin the end of slot 706 having the largest opening size. Tab 706 mayfit snugly or may exhibit a slight clearance condition with respect toslot 702 in this position. Tab 706 is larger than the opening at theopposite end of slot 702. Load bearing moveable member 694 rotates aboutan axle 708 that extends through side walls or arms 704 and member 694.Member 694 is securable to upwardly extending arms 704 through axle 708.A guide sleeve 647 is further shown. The sleeve may be attached andperform the same functions in a manner similar to that described inreference to the FIG. 43 device.

A stop 710 is affixed to an outer periphery of the member 694 and isoperable to receive one end 712 of the connecting member 696. Theopposing end 714 of the connecting member 696 is secured to the anchor698. One or more springs 716 may be disposed between one or more arms718 and walls 720 of the moveable member 694 (shown), and/or deformablemember 700 (not shown). Stop 710 may be integral to moveable member 694or affixed to it. Stop 710 may be represented by a fastener, rivet, weldjoint or comparable interfacing retention member, or may be representedby a feature such as a protrusion or block to which the connectingmember may be secured as shown in FIG. 46. While not shown, an inertialrelease or interlock mechanism as described in reference to FIGS. 39-43may be incorporated. Stop 710 may further serve as a blocking memberengagement surface in such instances. Stop 710 may also be operable toengage a stationary feature disposed on the retainer base wall for thepurposes of interlocking or limiting anchor extraction as describedrelative to the FIG. 45 embodiment.

Anchor 698, interfacing moveable load bearing member 694 through one ormore connecting members 696, may be extracted when a force of sufficientmagnitude is applied, causing the counterclockwise rotation of moveablemember 694 to overcome an initially interlocked interference conditionbetween tab 706 as it advances within tapered slot 702. Tab 706 maydeform the inside surface of the slot 702, disposed on load bearingdeformable member 700, as the moveable member 694 rotates in thedirection of the arrow. Alternatively, the inner surface of slot 702 mayinstead deform tab 706 as moveable member 694 rotates, or slot 702 andtab 706 may both deform as member 694 rotates. A slot having a stepped,or otherwise variable surface profile geometry, may be employed.Similarly, an additional slot and tab may be added to the same surfaceof deformable member 700 shown engaged with load bearing member 694, ormay be added to the surface of member 720 symmetrically opposite member700, at the other end of moveable member 694, wherein member 720 wouldalso be represented as a deformable member. It will be appreciated thatthe position, geometry and material composition of one or deformablemembers 700, slots 702, or tabs 706, relative to the axis of axle 708,may be altered to affect the rate or total amount of anchor displacementpermitted and/or energy management capabilities of device 690. As such,the function of the device is controlled by an interlocking relationshipbetween a tab-like feature 706 disposed on a stationary member of device690, and a slot-like aperture 706 disposed on a moveable member ofdevice 690. Various working component relationships, functionalcapabilities and adaptations relative to dynamic or retractioninterlocks, indicators, sensors, controllers and other aspects describedin reference to devices 590, 620, 626, 660 or other embodimentsdescribed herein may additionally be employed in association with device690, as applicable.

FIG. 47 illustrates the FIG. 46 device 690, from the perspective of thearrows of section cut 47-47. Axle 708 is shown extending through anopening 722 in side walls or arms 704. Spring 716 encapsulates an end ofaxle 708, imparting a biasing force against load bearing moveable member694.

FIG. 48 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative energy managementdevice 730 that employs at least one stud, pin, threaded fastener or thelike, engaging a at least one hole in an axle member interfacing a loadbearing moveable member. As the load bearing moveable member rotatesrelative to the stud, pin or threaded fastener, a resistive force isapplied in opposition to the force imparted by the extracting anchor.This force is imparted as the result of an intended interferencecondition between the stud and a hole in the rotating, moveable loadbearing members axle. The device 730 includes a retainer 731, having abase wall portion 732 and a load bearing moveable member portion 734.Axle 736 interfaces moveable load bearing member 734 and is pivotallyconnected to side walls or upwardly extending arms 738 that extend fromwall 732. At least one spring 740 and a protrusion, pin, fastener,stud-like member, or the like, 742 are shown. The axle 736 includes atleast one hole 746 that is operable to receive a correspondingprotruding stud-like member 742 that passes through an opening in wallor arm 738 or may extend integrally from wall 738 without incorporatinga hole 746. Load bearing moveable member 734 may be fixed to anindependent axle 736 by conventional means to allow rotation of hub 734relative to the arms 738. Axle 736 may be represented by a deformablemember affixed to member 734, said axle operable to distort relative tothe surface of stud 742 when member 734 rotates. Axle 736 may representan integral portion of member 734, in which case member 734 wouldfunction both as a moveable and a deformable load bearing member. Aconnecting member 744 engages anchor 698 (not shown) at one end, and isboth affixed to, and wrapped around, the perimeter of moveable member734 at its other end, in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 43, 45and 46.

Anchor 698 (not shown), interfacing moveable member 734 through one ormore interfacing connecting members 744 in any manner described relativeto FIGS. 44-47, may be extracted when a force of sufficient magnitude isapplied, causing the rotation of hub 734 to overcome the interlockinginterference condition between the stud 742 and hole 746 in axle 736.The surface interference condition between stud 742 and the wall surfaceof hole 746 in axle 736 generate resistive frictional loading inopposition to the direction of anchorage extraction, thereby managingthe energy imparted through the anchor and limiting the displacement ofthe anchor. The motion of the anchor may terminated upon reachingpredetermined interlocking interference condition limitations betweenstud 742 and the wall surface of hole 746 in axle 736. The interfacingsurface geometries of stud 742 and hole 746 may be adapted so thecorresponding interference condition causes a constant resistive forcein opposition to anchorage extraction, or may be further adapted toprovide continuously increasing, fixed interval or step-wise andincrementally increasing, or otherwise variable, resistive loading thatincreases or decreases in magnitude as the moveable load bearing member734 rotates and anchor 698 is extracted. One or more springs 740 may bedisposed between one or more side walls or arms 738 and the hub 734, toprovide a biasing force opposing the direction of the extraction. Such aforce may be beneficial to further resist the extraction of the anchorand aid in energy management, to provide a preloaded condition prior toextraction, and/or to aid in the retraction of the anchorage. Reboundretraction interlocking features not shown here may also be included asreferenced in the description of prior embodiments.

Hole 746 my have constant diameter along its length, or be may betapered over at least some portion engaging stud 742. Similarly, stud742 may also have a constant diameter or may be tapered over at leastsome portion engaging hole 746. Either or both the stud 742 or the hole746 may incorporate a plurality of diameters that vary continuously, ina distinct stepwise fashion, or in any combination of the same, alongtheir respective lengths. Either or both the axle hole or the stud mayadopt a cross sectional geometry that is represented by an engagementsurface that is other than round (triangular, square, octagonal, etc).Either or both the axle hole and the stud may be configured to deformrelative to one another as the moveable member 734 rotates duringanchorage extraction. Either or both the axle hole and the stud may bethreaded or disposed to enable a thread cutting surface contactengagement, wherein a threaded portion of either the hole or studdeforms the unthreaded engagement surface of the opposing member, asmoveable load bearing member 734 rotates relative to side walls orextension arms 738 during anchorage extraction. In the event that boththe axle hole and stud are initially threaded by design, the threadpitch may differ between the hole and stud to cause additionalrotational resistance.

Interfacing material property selection and the geometric combination ofsimilar or dissimilar, tapered or constant diameter, threaded orunthreaded engagement surfaces of the axle hole and stud may be adaptedin a plurality of configurations to achieve a variety of energymanagement and anchorage displacement characteristics for the benefit ofoccupant safety, as previously described herein. Additional stud andaxle hole interference relationships may be further introduced at theother end of axle 736 to further tune the energy management andanchorage displacement characteristics. Such relationships may beadapted to exist in close proximity to the axle and moveable memberinterface or at the farthest end of axle 736. Spring 740 may be omittedin some applications and the corresponding side wall or extension arm738 engaging spring 740 may be relocated adjacent to the hub in theabsence of spring 740. The axle 736 of member 734 may be axiallydisposed aligned with the central axis of the member 734, or may bedisposed off axis or askew to the perpendicular central axis in order tofurther affect unique energy management and displacement characteristicsof an extracting anchor. The function of the device is controlled by aninitially interlocked condition between one or more generally secured,fixed position stud like attachment components, operable to engagecorresponding openings in the ends of a moveable deformable axle member.The rate, the amount of anchor displacement, and energy managementcharacteristics of the device are further defined by the limitations ofthe corresponding deformation of either or both of the axially engagedmembers, wherein said members may bind and interlock at the extractionlimit. It may be further desirable to configure the device to enable areturn assist member to aid in unbinding the interlocked condition forthe purposes of anchor retraction. The stud may further be permitted torotate during extraction or when extracting for the benefit of deviceperformance.

Further adaptations relative to dynamic or retraction interlocks,indicators, sensors, controllers and other aspects described inreference to alternative embodiments otherwise sharing similar contentand device function may be adapted in the same manner as described,where applicable to device 730. For example, relative to the devicesdepicted or described in reference to FIGS. 39-48, a device may includean inertial release interlock further configured to also provideretraction interlocking capabilities. Either the base walls, side wallsor arms extending from the retainer base wall may incorporate slidemasses, pins, spring biased lever arms or the like, operable to engageone or more protrusions, detents, or apertures in the appropriateadjacent side wall, end wall or circumferential perimeter wall ofhub-like load bearing retainer member, for the purpose of controllingthe position of an anchor.

Alternatively, said features may instead be disposed on the load bearingretainer member to engage corresponding mating features associated withsaid base wall members. Said slide masses, pins and fixed or rotatablelever arms or catches may represent a retention member of an inertialinterlock controlling initial dynamic displacement of an associatedanchor, may represent an interlocking member operable to engage duringthe retraction phase of device operation in order to control subsequentdisplacement of said anchor, or may represent an interlocking stop tolimit extraction of an anchor. The position of said slide masses, pinsand levers may be controlled electronically by some combination ofsensor, controller or actuator, or may be operable to functionmechanically, reliant upon inertial forces imparted on the devicesufficient to overcome spring bias and various frictional engagementforces previously described to facilitate dynamic release of a retainedanchor. Said members may also be operable to engage a matinginterlocking engagement surface when alignment between two interlockingsurfaces or members permits a simple spring biasing to enable positiveengagement between a protruding member and an interlocking engagementsurface. Various interfacing component geometries disposed on either ofsaid base wall or load bearing members may further serve to engage oneanother under dynamic displacement conditions for the purposes ofinterlocking to limit total anchor displacement, Guides, grooves,channels may be incorporated on various members or said retainer tofacilitate relative movement of a protrusion operable to deform adistortable membrane, or to direct the motion path of an inertialblocking mass, etc. Distortable membranes may be incorporated between abase wall and circumferential wall of two adjacent retainer members, orbetween a side wall extending from a base and an adjacent side or endwall of a hub-like load bearing retainer member. While not shown inassociation with latter figures, many of such adaptations provide thesame functionality as the interlocks described in reference to thedevices of FIGS. 2 through 18. 28 and 29, for example.

FIG. 49 illustrates an alternative energy management device 750 thatincludes a receptacle feature for maintaining and restoring the positionof an extractable anchorage. An adaptation of device 660 is shown forillustration purposes only. Device 750 includes a retainer or housing752, at least one wall 754, a load bearing moveable member 756 and axle758, at least one connecting member 760, an anchor 764 and a guidereceptacle 766 for receiving an anchor 764. Device 750 may furtherinclude one or more springs 762. The guide receptacle 766 has areceiving portion 768 that is geometrically compatible with, and matesto, an insert portion 770 on the anchor 764. The guide receptacle 766 isoperable to maintain the pre-deployment position of anchor 764 and toreceive and restore anchor 764 to the same position upon beingretracted. The receptacle may also operate to supplement in guiding thepath of the connecting member 760 with respect to member 756 as anchor764 is extracted. An internal guide 774 is also provided and may beoperable to provide a guide path for one or more connecting members totravel within when the anchor is extracted and retracted. Internal guide774 and receptacle guide 766 may be attached to a retainer wall or maybe otherwise integral to the device housing or retainer.

Spring 762 may impart a biasing force to aid in maintaining theinitially fixed position of insert portion 770 relative to the receivingportion 768 of the member 752. Alternative configurations depicted, ordescribed in reference to the devices shown in FIGS. 43 through 48 mayalso be incorporated within retainer or housing 752. Such configurationsmay incorporate alternative representations of member 762, or may notrequire use of member 762 at all. In such instances, the anchor 764 andinsert portion 770 may remain rigidly engaged with receptacle 768 as aresult of the alternative component relationships that permit theomission of spring 762. Connecting member 760 is shown affixed to theinsert portion end of anchor 764 at one end and secured to the outerperiphery of the load bearing member 756 at its other end by rivet,stud, weld or comparable method for similar means of a fastener 772. Itwill be appreciated that the axle 758 can be represented by any of avariety of non-limiting members, such as those described in reference toembodiments depicted in FIGS. 42-48. The device 750 may be located invarious positions, for example those shown in FIG. 50. Receptacle 766and insert portion 768 are shown here having tapered engagementsurfaces. It is appreciated that the rectangular shape of the receptacleand insert potions may differ while still providing a compatibleinterfacing guide relationship to aid in situating the anchor relativeto its pre-deployed upon being retracted.

FIG. 50 illustrates a variety of possible mounting configurations forvarious energy management devices to create a system 800 including achild seat 12 disposed in a vehicle environment wherein one at least ofthe restraint devices illustrated or described herein may be employed.Device 10 is shown for example purposes. The devices 10 can be securedin immediate proximity to legally defined anchorage mounting locations,or may be mounted in any of a variety of satellite locations whereinonly the anchor attachment surfaces themselves are located inconventional locations and the balance of the device hardware may bemounted to a structural or load bearing member of the vehicle such asthe vehicle seat back 802, or may be located beneath the seat 804,behind the seat 806, on the floor 808 of the vehicle, in the trunk (notshown) or be affixed to package tray or roof 810. The restraint devices10 can be located in a variety of locations permitted by law, within thecabin of a vehicle, to enable compliant child seat attachment with theanchors. Guide features such as pulley wheels, low friction sleeves ortravel channels and the like (not shown) may be incorporated inconjunction with, or in proximity to, the vehicle components to which anenergy management device or system may be attached to ensure theconnecting members are able to travel without obstruction between theretainer or housing and interfacing end user anchorage access points,enabling the anchors to be freely extracted and retracted in practicaluse.

FIG. 51 illustrates an alternative energy management device 820 whereinthe retainer 822 is mounted relative to one or more pivot axes 823, 824or 825. The anchor 826 is connected to a child seat engagement featuresuch as a hook, clip, clasp, or claw-like mechanism 828, or the likesusing conventional methods described above. Mounting the retainer 822relative to at least one pivot axis 823, 824 or 825 may enhance theextraction/retraction performance of an energy management anchoragedevice such as device 820. Such mounting configurations adapted todevice 820 may to allow the assembly to pivotally rotate about one ormore axes as the device is functioned. The device may correspondinglyreorient and naturally realign itself such that anchor 826 is extractedin the direction of the load applied to anchor through engagement withinterfacing child seat attachment feature 828. Said otherwise, pivotalmounting may ideally permit an anchor, its associated interfacingconnecting members and moveable member (not shown) to be displacedaxially in the direction of the arrow shown. The extraction andretraction of anchor 826 and associated connecting members 832 is thenpermitted to occur, perpendicular to one or more openings 830 in theretainer 822 shown. Pivotal mounting may increase functional robustnessin certain situations by minimizing the application of off-axis loadingaskew to the intended path of anchor travel and load bearing deformablemember distortion. A pivotal mounting scheme may further serve tominimize any binding and undesired transverse loading that might occuras device 820 operates, facilitating in the provision of an optimizedand uninhibited extraction and retraction path for the anchor andconnecting members, while minimizing unintended deformation of anchorsand connecting members in practical use. The device 820 may instead berepresented by any of the previously depicted embodiments, theforthcoming embodiments, or adaptations to the same in order to enhanceor optimize the functional performance capabilities of the device orsystem for a particular application.

FIG. 52 illustrates device 820 mounted about a cross-vehicle pivot axis824, relative to a vehicle seat 14 and a child seat 12. For thisembodiment, a child seat top tether 18 is shown, connecting child seat12 with device 820. In this example, device 820 may rotate about axis824 to realign itself as the tension in tether 18 is increased duringchild seat installation. The device may rotate still further underdynamic loading conditions to benefit from the functional advantagesdescribed in reference to FIG. 51 above. It is further noted thatsimilar pivotal mounting configurations may be adopted, wherein theinitial mounting orientation of device 820 has been amended, or toincorporate device 820 in alternative locations within the vehicleenvironment in association with top tether or lower anchorages, or anyother relevant configuration of embodiments otherwise described herein.

FIG. 53 illustrates an energy management anchorage system 850 thatemploys features and functionality of the nature described in referenceto the aforementioned Figures and restraint device embodiments, whereina device 858 is adapted to control energy management and correspondinganchor displacement characteristics of at least 2 anchors 852 and 854that may be connected via a yoke-like interface. The particular geometryand configuration of components of device 858 are provided forillustrative reference purposes only. Energy management anchorage system850 includes a device 858 having a retainer 862 having at least onewall, at least one load bearing deformable member 864 and a moveablemember 860 disposed relative to said retainer. System 858 may furtherincorporate one or more return assist members 868. The variousfunctional advantages and alternatives to the above mentioned componentshave been discussed in reference to earlier figures. The yoke-likeinterface is comprised of one or more connecting members 856. Theconnecting member 856 may consist of one or more cables, connecting rodsor similar attaching members interconnected by way of fastener, clamp,crimp, weld, etc, facilitating displacement of at least one moveablemember 860 and the corresponding extraction and retraction of anchors852 and 854.

Alternatively, yoke-like connecting member 856 may be represented by asingle component. Furthermore, anchors 852 and 854, connecting members856 and at least one moveable member contained within retainer 858 maybe represented by a plurality of interconnected components or may berepresented by a single integrated component. Guide features of thenature described in reference to FIG. 50 may be incorporated asnecessary to facilitate unobstructed extraction and retraction of theconnecting members 856 when generally disposed at a distance from theremainder of components comprising device 858.

The pair of anchors 852 and 854 work in concert to cause moveable member860, interfacing with connecting member(s) 856, to react against theload bearing deformable member 864, as the anchors are extracted, ifsufficient input loading is imparted on the anchors to meetpredetermined threshold criteria and initiate the deformation of loadbearing deformable member 864. The locations of anchors 852 and 854within the vehicle shall be compliant with the applicable legalrequirements so as to be engaged by child seat tether clips oralternative releasable engagement clips, clasps or claw-like mechanisms866 associated with a child seat assembly (not shown). The retainer 862is illustrated with transparent exterior surfaces to simplify thedepiction of the various internal components discussed. The lengths ofthe connecting members may be adjusted permit adequate extension betweenanchors and retainers mounted in satellite locations. As has beenpreviously stated in reference to the various aforementionedembodiments, the geometries, orientations and quantities of thecomponents comprising energy management anchorage system 858 may bevaried to achieve the functional and packaging needs for a givenapplication, while offering the same performance capabilities alreadyhaving been described.

FIG. 54 illustrates a combined energy management system 880 whereinhousing or retainer portion 882, and portion 882′, employ an uppertether restraint anchor 884, lower anchors 888 and 890 and correspondingenergy management capabilities, respectively. The housing portions 882and 882′ may employ any of the energy management devices discussedhereinabove, and device 880 may benefit from the same forms of componentconsolidation and combined usage and functionality as described herein.The pair of anchors 888 and 890 interface with one or more connectingmembers 892 and work in concert with the components of retainer portion882′, and may function independently from anchor 884 and the energymanagement components contained within retainer portion 882. Retainerportions 882 and 882′ may represent portions of a combined housingcontaining the majority of components of device or system 880, whereinthe components may be further separated by internal compartments, ifnecessary. Alternatively, retainer portions 882 and 882′ may representindependent retainers with self contained energy management capabilitiesthat are stacked and interface directly with one another when packagedin a vehicle environment. The energy management functionality may beconsolidated within a single housing or differentiated between an upperand a pair of lower anchorages, for example. The lengths of theconnecting members may be adjusted permit adequate extension betweenanchors and housings mounted in satellite locations.

FIG. 55 illustrates an energy management device or system 900 thatemploys a common housing or retainer 902, a pair of lower anchors 916,and an upper anchor 918. The anchors 916 and 918 may operate eitherindependently or in concert, being extracted in the same direction withrespect to retainer 902 when the device is dynamically activated.Retainer 902, in the present embodiment, may represent the incorporationof individual energy management devices 904, 906 and 908, combinedwithin a single enclosure, sharing one or more interior wall surfacesand each of which employ at least one load bearing deformable member920, at least one connecting member 922, at least on moveable member 914and may incorporate one or more return assist members 912, anchorposition controlling interlocks (not shown) and various other componentspreviously discussed herein.

Alternatively, the device or system 900 may be configured to incorporatecombined energy management and anchorage displacement functionality forthe upper and lower anchors inclusive within a single enclosure, or mayprovide combined functionality for the pair of lower anchors while theupper anchor functions independently, relative to one retainer. In suchconfigurations associated with a single retainer, the lower anchors mayshare in combined use of a single moveable member, one or more returnassist members, one or more load bearing extendable, compressible orrotatable deformable members or various interlocking features, for thepurposes of design package space and component cost efficiency.Alternatively, in certain instances, the upper and lower anchors mayconcurrently share in combined use of the same components relative to asingle retainer. The lengths of the connecting members may be adjustedpermit adequate extension between anchors and retainers mounted insatellite locations. Geometries of components, quantities andconfigurations, may vary to achieve the abovementioned goals.

FIG. 56 illustrates an energy management device 940 that employs aretainer 942 that may be represented by an enclosure or housing havingone or more internal compartments and two or more load bearingdeformable members. Said load bearing members may share a singlecompartment or be disposed relative to a retainer that is not enclosed.For illustration purposes, two compartments are shown relative to anenclosed retainer or housing, wherein the compartments employ at least afirst load bearing deformable member 944 and a second load bearingdeformable member 946. An intermediate interior member 948 may bedisposed to separate the first and second compartments and to facilitateindependent operation. One or more return assist members 950 may bedisposed relative to the retainer to bias a movable member 952 or member948, if included. Member 948 may be disposed to remain fixed duringdynamic operation of device 940 or be permitted to travel and compressone or more load bearing deformable members 946 in conjunction withmember 952, or sequentially. The load bearing deformable members mayshare the same material performance properties, having dissimilargeometries, or may incorporate dissimilar deformation characteristics inorder to facilitate tuning the device to achieve a plurality of loadcarrying, energy management and anchor displacement capabilities. Thisdevice and the devices depicted in FIGS. 53-55 and FIG. 57 may beadapted to incorporate load bearing deformable members that are extendedrather than compressed as an anchor is extracted. Intermediate member948 may be omitted from device 940 and moveable member 952 may cause aseries of 2 or more independent load bearing deformable members (such asmembers 944 and 946) within a single cavity of housing 942 to bedistorted simultaneously or sequentially for the purposes of providingtailored energy management and anchorage displacement performancecharacteristics. Alternative embodiments previously shown may be adaptedto perform as described in reference to FIG. 56. Interlocking featuresmay also be incorporated in association with device 940, as previouslydiscussed. The device 940 can be further designed to have differentextraction rates relating to individual anchors.

FIG. 57 illustrates an alternative energy management device or system970 that employs functional capability of permitting both top tether andlower anchorage extraction as a result of consolidating previouslydescribed energy management feature content relative to a commonretainer, or within in a common housing, wherein the direction ofextraction of the top tether anchor opposes that of the loweranchorages. The device 970 includes a retainer 972, a first connectingmember 974 and interfacing anchor 976, and at least a second connectingmember 978 interfacing with anchors 980 and 982, interfacing with childtether hook, clip, clasp or claw-like mechanisms 984 to secure the childseat to the vehicle seat. At least one load bearing deformable member986 is disposed relative to retainer 972 and one or more return assistmembers 988 may be disposed as necessary to react against either or bothof the moveable members 990 and 992. The retainer, if represented by ahousing or enclosure, may include only a single internal compartment, ormay include two or more compartments. The housing shown in FIG. 57 has afirst compartment 994 and a second compartment 996, each of whichcontain a moveable member 990 or 992, one or more connecting members 974or 978, at least one load bearing deformable member 986 and may includereturn assist members 988. The compartments 994 and 996 may, but neednot necessarily, be separated by an intermediate member 998 that mayoperate as a barrier between the compartments. The lengths of theconnecting members may be adjusted permit adequate extension betweenanchors and housings mounted in satellite locations. Device or system970 may employ any of the feature content, component hardware orfunctional capabilities otherwise discussed or depicted hereinabove.Device 970 may benefit from the same forms of component consolidationand combined usage and functionality as described in reference to priorfigures. The relative proportional sizes of deformable members 986, orcompartments 994 and 996 as applicable, may vary to allocatedisproportionate space relative to the opposing ends of retainer 972 forupper and lower anchorage extraction, retraction or interlocking featurecontent. While not shown, moveable members and corresponding deformablemembers may be oriented concentrically and in the same plane rather thanstacked in series. Connecting members, anchors and moveable members maybe represented by integral or separately attached portions.

FIG. 58 illustrates an energy management anchorage system of the sortdescribed in reference to such Figures as 53, 54, 55 and 56, mounted ina satellite location, fixed to the bottom 1000 of a seat 14. Fordiscussion purposes, the FIG. 54 device 880 is discussed in thisembodiment with the upper anchor 884 shown extending behind the back ofthe vehicle seat, while lower anchors 888 (shown) and 890 (not shown)are disposed in the bite line between the vehicle seat cushion and seatback.

FIG. 59 illustrates a vehicle seat 14 with an energy managementanchorage system such as that embodied in system 970 of FIG. 57. Here,the housing 972 is secured to the seat back 1002 at a satellite locationdisposed between the upper and lower anchorage locations. Anchor 982(shown) and 980 (not shown) are located at intersection of the seatcushion and seat back for end user access. The top tether anchor 976 isoriented near the top of the seatback 1002 of the seat 14.

It will be appreciated that energy management anchorage devicesdescribed in reference to FIGS. 58 and 59 can be secured in a host oflocations, as shown in FIG. 50, providing compliance is achieved withregard to a variety of vehicle safety requirements. It will further beappreciated that an assortment of alternative arrangements arecontemplated for these devices, beyond those disclosed herein.

In reference to FIGS. 50-59, the energy management anchorage systems ofthis nature may be disposed in satellite locations displaced fromimmediate proximity to the legally defined anchorage engagement pointswithin a vehicle. Therefore, as previously described, in cases whereextended connecting members such as cables are used to join the moveablemember disposed within a housing, or relative to a retainer, that isaffixed to a satellite location at a distance from an anchor oriented ina commonly accepted location for child seat engagement in a vehicleenvironment, the connecting member will benefit from the incorporationof a guide feature such as a guide channel, pulley wheel, sleeve-likeenclosure, or the like which serves to reduce friction and facilitatethe uninhibited displacement of the connecting member in order tooptimize the extraction/retraction capabilities of the child anchorduring the energy management and rebounding phases. These features(while not shown) would generally be expected to be affixed to astructural member of the vehicle or in proximity to the energymanagement device and/or anchorage locations themselves.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A dynamic displacement energy managementdevice comprising: a base member having a load bearing hub member and ablocking surface; an interlock pivotably connected to said base member;and a load bearing deformable member disposed around a radial face ofsaid hub member, secured at an end by said interlock biased against saidblocking surface, and operatively attached to an anchor to bear anapplied load, wherein when a dynamic load condition applied to saidanchor overcomes said biasing of said interlock, said load bearingdeformable member disengages from said blocking surface.
 2. The deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein the load bearing deformable member issecurable to said hub member, said deformable member is loop shaped andhas a first end for wrapping around said hub member and a second endassociated with an anchor.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, whereindistortion of said deformable member is operable to control energymanagement.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said deformablemember is rigid in a first condition and distortable under predeterminedloading conditions for the purposes of managing energy in a secondcondition.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interlockincludes a spring biased retention member extending from one of saidwalls.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said deformablemember is pliable and made of multi-strand material.
 7. The device asclaimed in claim 5, wherein said load bearing deformable member includesan elongated loop, and further comprising a stop positioned on said basemember operable to discontinue displacement of said load bearingdeformable member by restraining said elongated loop, therebycontrolling a position beyond which said anchor may not be extractedduring dynamic conditions.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 5, whereinsaid interlock controls a position beyond which said anchor may not beextracted in one condition and permits displacement of said anchor inanother condition.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidguide is located on said load bearing member for receiving saiddeformable member and guiding the position of said deformable member andsaid anchor.